How did your journey in AI start - what brought you to AI?
It was a natural continuation – my background is from mathematics and the development of numerical methods. I am very interested in the hypotheses we make when solving a problem numerically, and how that impacts our strategies and our solution. This is highly relevant for AI and why I’m particularly interested in explainable AI (XAI), the ethics of AI and human centered AI as well as the technology itself.
What is the biggest change you have observed in AI compared to when you entered the field at the start of your career?
The emphasis on ethics and the realization that technologist should not shoulder all of the responsibility when it comes to the development of AI is increasing year on year. AI is a powerful tool, and it already has a major impact on the world – there is a democratic need for everyone to understand what it is and how we can use it for good.
What excites you about working in AI, and what are you working on right now?
In one of my projects, we are using AI to improve short term weather forecasts for offshore wind farms. Together with improved control systems this will increase the profitability of offshore wind farms – an important issue in the turbulent times we are living in.
How do you see the number of female researchers and professionals in AI grow? How do you involve yourself in initiatives to introduce more women to AI, and what initiatives can we make to inspire more women to pursue careers within AI?
I believe it is important to demystify AI, and also to emphasize the need for persons with very diverse backgrounds and education to engage with AI. You do not need to be in love with software development (although that is fun!) – you can still work with AI and make important contributions. There is ongoing, important, work in increasing female participation in traditional STEM-subjects, but with AI we can go broader.
Why is it important for more women to get involved in AI?
Seeing how AI is already starting to impact society for instance on a democratic level, it is crucial that we get feedback from a representative subset of those whose lives will be affected. That most definitely include women!
What advice would you like to give women who are pursuing their careers in AI?
Network! It is extremely important to build a network in whatever field you wish to work within. If it is a field where you feel like the odd one out, it is even more important to find a group of people with whom you feel connected, with whom you share thoughts and ideas and with whom you can have a good time. My other advice is to step up and say yes, even when it makes you feel vulnerable. There is always someone out there who is better than you, but hey, that perfect person cannot take on every job in the world. So, step up!
What advice do you have for organizations who wish to recruit and retain female researchers and professionals in AI?
Make sure you have a good working environment where everyone feels heard and respected, and ask how you best can help them thrive.
Who is your biggest role model within your field, and why?
I’m inspired by the people around me, and it has been such a great pleasure to get to know so many great people through NORA.
What role can NORA take on to empower diversity and inclusion in AI in Norway?
NORA takes diversity and inclusion seriously, be it on committees, panel debates, or conference programs, and this will pay off. NORA promotes networking and connecting people, and with the addition now of the PhD school I believe it will be great to be a young researcher in the field, no matter what your identity and background is.
About Annette
Humanity is attempting to understand how we can further harness energy from wind, and rethink our energy systems. Anette Stephansen with her PhD in Applied Mathematics and her research within renewable energy is pushing this movement forward, or perhaps we could say harnessing this increased focus. She has been a chair at offshore wind conferences Science Meets Industry and EERA DeepWind, and active in the EERA JP Wind network. Her skills relate to data analysis and simulations, yet she is a competent leader of research and networks. She has been active as centre coordinator of the FME centre NORCOWE on offshore wind, which operated between 2009 and 2017. The Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE) is a Norwegian government-owned research institute. It is one of the largest research organisations of Norway and was founded in 2017 through the merger of several university-owned research institutes and has around 900 employees. She is additionally one of the newest members in the board of NORA.