The third webinar in the PERKS series, held on March 8th, 2026, focused on “Women in AI and Women in Industry.” Moderated by Irene Celino, PERKS project coordinator, the discussion brought together five professionals working across different areas of AI and industrial innovation: Enrica Bosani, Ekin Demir, Martina Maselli, Verena Pietsch, and Aparna Thuluva.
During the webinar, participants shared personal stories, professional reflections, and broader perspectives on gender representation in AI. The conversation naturally intertwined these dimensions, offering a multifaceted view on the experiences of women shaping today’s technological landscape. Below is a summary of the key insights that emerged from these discussions.
Diversity and Interdisciplinarity: The Added Value of Women in AI
The discussion opened with reflections on how women contribute to AI and industrial innovation. Enrica Bosani described AI as “a major opportunity” for women, noting that technological transitions often open new spaces in fields where they have historically had limited access. She highlighted qualities such as pragmatism, awareness of bias, and sensitivity to limitations as essential contributions women bring to AI teams.
Ekin Demir emphasised the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of today’s AI landscape. Professionals entering the field from the humanities or social sciences enrich discussions on ethics, fairness, and trust, making teams more diverse and better equipped to tackle complex challenges.
Following the industrial point of view, Aparna Thuluva noted that women are more visible in leadership roles than in hands‑on technical ones. She stressed the need for more women in expert technical positions, where analytical skills, creativity, and cross‑functional thinking can strongly influence AI adoption in industry.
Verena Pietsch added that women often excel in hybrid roles that connect technical knowledge with domain understanding. Acting as translators between technology and stakeholders, they help make AI more trustworthy, transparent, and human-centred. Finally, Martina Maselli concluded by highlighting the importance of involving women not only in technical work but also in strategic decisions that shape the future of AI and industrial innovation.
Personal Journeys: Obstacles, Evolution, and Collective Growth
A significant part of the webinar focused on personal stories that illustrated both the challenges and opportunities women encounter in AI and industrial settings. Martina Maselli shared the complexity of leading a startup in agricultural robotics, navigating a maledominated sector while balancing entrepreneurship, academia, and motherhood.
Verena Pietsch recalled moments of being underestimated in technical environments, a situation that, unfortunately, is familiar to many women. Over time, however, she turned this challenge into a strength by developing a clear, impactful communication style capable of making technical concepts accessible and meaningful.
Ekin Demir reflected on the difficulties of working in hierarchical and competitive structures earlier in her career. The spread of collaborative methodologies like agile, she noted, not only improved teamwork but also created spaces where different voices could contribute more freely.
Aparna Thuluva described her return to work after maternity leave as a fragile and uncertain phase. Supportive mentors and female leadership played a crucial role in rebuilding confidence and enabling her to embrace new approaches to problemsolving and resource management.
Drawing on decades of experience in industrial automation, Enrica Bosani offered a broader view: the rapid spread of AI risks outpacing people’s ability to adapt consciously. She warned that many roles traditionally held by women—especially in backoffice and datarelated activities—might be automated without adequate change management. For this reason, she stressed that AI must be introduced with the aim of improving people’s lives and enabling new professional opportunities, rather than merely increasing efficiency.
Messages for Future Generations: Confidence, Curiosity, and Community
In the closing part of the webinar, the speakers turned their thoughts to the next generation of women entering AI and industrial fields. Their messages converged around a shared invitation to embrace confidence, curiosity, and authenticity.
They encouraged young women to trust their abilities even when the environment seems to underestimate them, to stay curious and embrace change as a natural part of personal and professional growth. The speakers stressed the value of soft skills such as empathy, collaboration, holistic thinking, which increasingly complement technical expertise in AIdriven environments.
Equally important was the call to stay true to one’s identity rather than conforming to predefined models. The speakers highlighted the importance of seeking supportive mentors and communities, whether through professional networks, womenintech groups, or informal peer circles. These connections can offer strength, visibility, and encouragement, especially during pivotal transitions.
Across all voices, the message was clear: women do not need to adapt to existing moulds. They have the perspective, competence, and agency to shape the future of AI and industry on their own terms.
The full recording of the event will soon be available on the PERKS YouTube channel, together with previous episodes in the series dedicated to AI, industry, and procedural knowledge management.
