On October 24, the IBM Silicon Valley Lab transformed into a vibrant gathering place for more than 230 learners, students, and professionals who came together for WiDS IBM at Silicon Valley Lab — one of the Bay Area’s most dynamic regional events of the year. With 150+ attendees in person and over 80 joining virtually, the event blended cutting-edge AI education with hands-on exploration, meaningful conversation, and creative community-building activities.
This year’s event also achieved something remarkable:
100% of survey respondents rated the event as satisfied or very satisfied.
Exploring the Latest in AI — With People at the Center
The agenda featured 11 speakers whose perspectives spanned technical innovation, personal growth, and the evolving role of humans in an AI-driven world. Talks and panels opened up conversations around:
- navigating bravery and discomfort in technical careers
- addressing imposter syndrome
- ethical considerations in emerging AI systems
- storytelling and agency in human-AI collaboration
- how continuous learning and side projects keep practitioners energized in fast-paced fields
Sessions ranged from deep dives — like using generative AI with logs or exploring intelligence in meeting agents — to reflective discussions on courage, visibility, and leadership.
Attendees also explored two open-source tools, IBM Granite 4.0 and Docling, gaining practical experience through guided workshops led by IBM practitioners. These hands-on sessions were especially impactful for students and early-career professionals seeking tangible skill building.
Community, Creativity, and Connection
Beyond the technical content, WiDS IBM at Silicon Valley Lab was intentionally designed to create moments of connection, inspiration, and care.
Attendees participated in a series of interactive community activities, including:
- Decorating 150+ bandanas for breast cancer patients
- Design Thinking prompts to spark creativity
- Networking bingo to encourage organic conversation
- Swag giveaways and informal chats over food
These elements gave the event a distinctly human feel — reflecting WiDS’ belief that community is a critical part of building the next generation of data science talent.
Leadership in Action: Ambassador Grishma Jena
This gathering was imagined and led by three-time WiDS Ambassador Grishma Jena, whose vision and organizational leadership have helped shape the Bay Area WiDS community. Planning the event in just over a month, Grishma coordinated her most expansive program yet — introducing a hybrid format that brought together 150+ in-person attendees and 80+ virtual participants.
Her approach included partnerships with local universities such as SJSU and Berkeley, outreach to women-in-tech organizations, thoughtful curation of diverse speakers, and interactive programming to engage both students and experienced practitioners.
To support future organizers, Grishma even created a 14-page playbook detailing how to replicate an event of this scale — a testament to her commitment to community building and knowledge sharing.
A Growing Hub for AI Learning and Talent Development
With support from IBM leadership, dedicated volunteers, and the broader WiDS network, WiDS IBM at Silicon Valley Lab has quickly become a key gathering point for data scientists, technologists, and students across the region.
This year’s event placed a particular emphasis on:
- strengthening student engagement
- expanding hiring pipelines
- offering hands-on technical learning
- broadening outreach during Open Source AI Week
Even more, the event reinforced how regional WiDS gatherings can expand access to AI education and help cultivate emerging talent in a supportive, community-driven setting.
Looking Ahead
As WiDS continues to expand its regional footprint, WiDS IBM at Silicon Valley Lab stands as an example of what’s possible when education, creativity, and community come together.
We extend our gratitude to Grishma Jena, the speakers, volunteers, IBM staff, and the 230+ attendees who made this event such a meaningful success. The Bay Area continues to grow as a vibrant hub for AI learning — and we’re excited to see how this momentum inspires the next generation of data science innovators.