On Tuesday 18 February, UCL School of Management hosted the inaugural She Shapes AI event and awards ceremony on Level 50 of One Canada Square. She Shapes AI identifies, celebrates and supports female trailblazers around the world in using and developing AI that responsibly contributes to society. On the day, 100 women gathered from around the world to shine a spotlight on inspiring entrepreneurs whose efforts are shaping the use of artificial intelligence to deliver real-world impact. UCL School of Management Assistant Professor Angela Aristidou (pictured right) then opened the evening awards ceremony and convened a workshop on artificial intelligence and governance.
She Shapes AI is a platform and community that aims to diversify the conversations surrounding the implementation, use and governance of artificial intelligence and showcase the voices and contributions of women in this space. The event also saw opening remarks from Yvonne Rogers (pictured left), Professor within UCL’s Faculty of Engineering and Director of the Interaction Centre at UCL (UCLIC). A trailblazer in her own right, Yvonne received an MRC Suffrage and Science Award in 2020, solidifying her position as one of the UK’s leading women in mathematics and computing. Yvonne’s remarks highlighted the strong metaphor of the ‘side door’ – the notion that women may not be invited in through the front door, but nevertheless significantly impact human-centred applications of AI in ways that benefit society.
The inaugural 2024/25 Awards were presented in six categories: AI and Democracy, AI and Peace, AI and Learning, AI and Nature, AI and Media and Thought Leadership in AI. Taking home the AI and Democracy Award was Alicia Combaz, Founder and CEO of Make.org, a platform giving voice to citizens, employees and stakeholders looking to implement change in their society. The AI and Peace Award went to Branka Panic, founder of AI for Peace, a US-based think tank working at the intersection of AI, peace and human security.
Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo won the AI and Learning Award in recognition of NightOwlGPT, an AI-driven platform designed to preserve and protect endangered languages. Co-Founder and CEO of Optim.ai, Diana Gutierrez, received the AI and Nature Award to celebrate the efforts of her startup in fostering impactful AI usage. The Newsroom Co-Founder and CEO Jenny Romano received the AI and Media Award in recognition of her use of AI to fight online misinformation. Finally, the Thought Leadership in AI Award went to Dr. Elizabeth M. Adams, CEO of EMA Advisory Services, an organisation supporting leaders in their responsible adoption of AI.
Discussing the first-ever awards ceremony, She Shapes AI Founder Dr. Julia Stamm said, “We are at a critical tipping point. If we want to create a future where AI works for everyone, we need to ensure that it is shaped by many, not a few. By celebrating women from across the globe who propel the field forward and highlighting their impactful work, we show what is possible when AI aligns with societal values and responsible principles - and that business success and doing ‘good’ are not mutually exclusive.”
Dr Angela Aristidou echoed this message, stating, “Right now, the concrete is still wet—this is a rare and fleeting moment where we can imprint our values, carve out safeguards, and mold Artificial Intelligence’s trajectory before it hardens into an unchangeable reality. The future of Artificial Intelligence must not be something that simply unfolds around us—it is something we must actively shape, mould, and define.”
