The 6th Women in Data & AI London Meetup showcased a series of enlightening sessions, emphasising the transformative role of women in the data and AI sectors. Held at 100 Liverpool Street, London, the event featured three distinguished speakers who shared their expertise on building smarter products, optimising operations with AI, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures.
“These assumptions are dangerous and can lead to poor adoption and products that don’t deliver any value and shake leadership confidence.”
Maryam Aidini explored how lean experimentation can help teams build more effective data and AI products by quickly validating assumptions. She pointed out that while AI promises huge potential, its success depends on good data. However, most data carries hidden assumptions that, if left unchecked, can lead to products that fail to deliver value. This disconnect often results in poor adoption and diminished leadership confidence.
Maryam outlined a three-step approach: uncover assumptions, design experiments, and analyse outcomes to inform decisions. By embracing this methodology, teams can reduce waste, manage complexity, and build confidence in product direction. The ultimate goal is continuous improvement through data-driven decision-making, even in fast-moving AI environments.
You can find a more detailed blog on how to build smarter data and AI product using lean experimentation here.
Rebecca Vickery shared the development of SmartGuard, a data-driven solution aimed at reducing the failure rate of smart meter installation appointments, which currently stands at nearly 50 percent. These failures not only create operational inefficiencies but also lead to negative customer experiences.
To address this, Rebecca’s team built a three-part system. First, a machine learning model generates a failure likelihood score. Second, model explanations are extracted using Python tools to ensure transparency. Third, a large language model is used to translate these insights into clear, readable outputs for field engineers. By working closely with stakeholders throughout, the team ensured that the solution could influence human behaviour and deliver better outcomes for both the business and its customers.
“The only person you should compete with is the person you were yesterday.”
Zoe Higgins offered a personal and powerful perspective on workplace culture, highlighting the emotional complexity of navigating STEM environments as a woman. She spoke about balancing a growth mindset with the often-parallel challenge of imposter syndrome, especially in high-performance, male-dominated environments.
Zoe stressed the importance of inclusion that goes beyond numbers. It's not enough for women in data and AI to be present—they must feel genuinely valued. Her talk encouraged the audience to focus on personal growth, as captured in her message: “The only person you should compete with is the person you were yesterday.” Creating environments where women can thrive means enabling that kind of mindset to flourish, supported by inclusive policies and leadership.
Courtney King, co-founder of the Women in Data & AI London community, reflected on the significance of creating dedicated spaces for women in the industry:
"We created the Women in Data & AI London Meetup to shine a light and specifically empower women in data by giving them a platform to speak to the industry. Meeting other people and networking events are integral to this, so we set up the Women in Data & AI Meetup. We also wanted to celebrate the achievements of women pioneering in their field and using data & AI to drive innovation at their organisations.”
The event underscored the critical role of community and mentorship in advancing gender diversity within the data and AI sectors. By providing platforms for women to share their experiences and insights, the Women in Data & AI London Meetup continues to foster an environment of learning, support, and empowerment.
If you’re interested in hearing from other insightful women in the data and AI space, join our community.
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