Wrapping Up 2024: WiDS Ambassador Event Highlights

WiDS Baltimore @ Morgan State University

The conference helped establish stronger relationships and initiated work contracts with social work practitioners in the Baltimore and Newark areas. This collaboration enables the pursuit of more seed and grant funding opportunities to broaden the participation of women in social work and data science, and vice versa. Additionally, a certificate program in data science and social work is being developed, which will be the first such program to be offered by an HBCU. With 120 attendees, this initiative marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between these fields and empowering more women in both sectors.

WiDS Romania

WiDS Cambridge

The 2024 WiDS Cambridge conference drew 350 in-person attendees with an impressive 80% show rate and nearly 75% staying until the end. Highlights included a keynote by Fotini Christia, technical talks, and panels on Data Science for Humanitarian Work in Conflict Zones and Responsible AI. Graduate students and postdocs moderated the panels, while 20 poster presenters delivered lightning talks. Networking activities like speed networking and human bingo were well-received.

The Datathon Workshop hosted 100 participants tackling climate change problems through deep learning, attracting a diverse audience. A keynote by Dr. Ehi Nosakhare addressed challenges for women in tech and emphasized responsible AI. The event exemplified WiDS’ commitment to fostering community and empowering women in data science. Watch the conference on YouTube.

WiDS New Zealand

WiDS New Zealand 2024, co-hosted by WiDS Ambassadors at Victoria University of Wellington, aimed to increase women’s participation in data science. With 150 attendees, the event featured over 15 speakers from diverse sectors, discussing topics like data ethics, healthcare, and visualization. Highlights included the announcement of four Women in Data Science Scholarships and sponsorship from both public and private sectors, making the event free to attend. The program included keynotes, lightning talks, panel discussions, and spot prizes, emphasizing support for women in data science. Watch a brief 1-minute showcase of the event.

WiDS Dubai @ Dataiku

WiDS Dubai at Dataiku 2024 empowered women in AI and data science across the Middle East, with 35 participants, including 8 influential speakers and Wipro co-sponsoring a VIP dinner. The event kicked off with a transformative dinner for 26 women leaders discussing “What is ROAI and how it can lead to cultural and social progress.” The following day, the region’s first all-women AI panel sparked widespread engagement on unlocking ROAI. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of attendees feeling empowered and many expressing interest in future sessions. The event also generated business prospects and significant social media buzz, solidifying WiDS Dubai as a key platform for women in AI.

WiDS Barcelona & Madrid

The 4th edition of WiDS Barcelona Madrid brought together over 80 attendees and 20+ speakers, making it one of Spain’s top data science events. A podcaster conducted a live interview, adding to the dynamic atmosphere. Held in the city center with the WiDS logo projected on the street, the event once again received strong support from Telefónica.

WiDS Zurich

WiDS Zurich 2024 brought together 224 attendees from industry and academia to inspire and support women in data science. The conference featured keynotes, lightning talks, mentorship tables, and a poster session, providing ample opportunities to connect and learn. Topics included sleep measurement with machine learning, generative AI in sports broadcasting, and ethical AI development. With diverse speakers and panelists, the event successfully advanced the mission of increasing women’s participation in data science.

WiDS Dallas @ Dataiku

WiDS Dallas @ Dataiku 2024 brought together nearly 30 attendees for an engaging panel discussion featuring speakers from Dataiku customers and partners. The event focused on advancing women in data science, with insights from Mimi Park (Databricks) on workplace inclusion, Paula Carrillo (Texas Instruments) on leadership, Jada Ballentine (NXP) on mentorship, and Niket Dubey (Epsilon) on allyship. Moderated by Dataiku’s Cassie Chuljian, the discussion covered key challenges, the gender pay gap, and strategies for increasing representation. A highly interactive Q&A and post-panel networking fostered deep connections and meaningful conversations.

WiDS San Francisco @ IBM

The 2nd annual IBM-sponsored WiDS event in San Francisco brought together 120+ in-person and virtual attendees for a day of learning and connection. The event featured 7 speakers and 4 panelists from 9 Bay Area companies, presenting on key AI topics, including IBM Granite 3.0.

Highlights included a TechExpo showcasing IBM watsonx tools, a user research activity where attendees ‘invested’ in LLM features, and a raffle awarding 1:1 mentoring sessions with speakers. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 97% rating the event as ‘satisfied’ or ‘highly satisfied.’

Attendees left inspired, praising the event for empowering women in tech and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community to celebrate achievements and spark innovation in data science.

WiDS Riyadh

WiDS Riyadh 2024 highlighted the achievements of Saudi women across investment, venture capital, entrepreneurship, art, and culture. Featuring round table discussions, the event explored how data science is reshaping industries by enhancing decision-making, innovation, and efficiency.

Key themes included data science’s role in empowering venture capital firms, fueling entrepreneurial growth, and preserving cultural heritage while driving artistic innovation. Challenges like limited access to quality data and networking opportunities were also discussed.

With 35 in-person and 786 online participants, the event showcased the vital contributions of women in advancing data-driven innovation across sectors.

WiDS Dhahran @ KFUPM

The WiDS Dhahran @ KFUPM empowered over 500 participants (online and in-person) through diverse sessions, including five keynote speeches, a poster competition, workshops, and mentoring. Topics covered ranged from AI ethics and privacy to data management and transitioning ideas into products. Notable keynotes included Dr. Dhabia Alboaneen on AI ethics and Dr. Manal Alassaf on product development. The panel discussed AI project lifecycles from an industry perspective, while workshops introduced generative AI and the WiDS Datathon 2024. The event also highlighted student research through a poster competition, with three winners announced. The conference concluded with inspiring remarks and a vision for expanding support for women in data science.

WiDS Livermore

WiDS Livermore, hosted at the University of California Livermore Collaboration Center, welcomed over 90 attendees for a full day of learning and networking. The event featured technical talks, panel discussions, speed mentoring, a new poster session, and networking opportunities.

Keynote speaker Carol Woodward, LLNL Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, shared her career journey, highlighting the impact of mentorship and collaboration. Panels covered leadership, early-career advice, and work-life balance, fostering open, candid discussions.

The poster session offered unique networking opportunities across academia and industry. Woodward emphasized WiDS’s critical role in fostering inclusivity and empowering the next generation in data science.

WiDS University of Calgary

The WiDS regional conference at the University of Calgary was a great success, featuring over 30 poster presentations from female students showcasing their research in data science. Six keynote speakers from academia and industry shared valuable insights, and the event attracted 100 attendees. It provided a strong platform for networking and knowledge sharing, highlighting the growing presence of women in data science.

WiDS Atlanta @ Dataiku

WiDS Atlanta @ Dataiku 2024 brought together a diverse group of women in data science for a dynamic discussion on leadership and career growth. The event featured a networking breakfast, followed by a panel discussion with Becky Patterson (BCBS) on leadership, Beverly Wright on her extensive experience in data science, and Haley Bobo on transitioning from individual contributor to manager. The conversation covered work-life balance, closing the gender pay gap, and supporting women in the field. A highly interactive Q&A and post-event networking fostered meaningful connections and actionable insights.

WiDS Erlangen

The WiDS Erlangen regional conference featured an interesting mix of academic and industrial talks showcasing cutting-edge research and real-world applications. Topics ranged from medical applications and explainable AI to understanding human movement and bringing AI applications to production. Participants gained insights into what’s driving companies and where we stand in terms of research, all led and implemented by female data scientists with incredible expertise in their fields. Approximately 50 participants engaged in fruitful discussions during this two-day virtual event.

WiDS Maastricht

The Institute of Data Science at the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences hosted the 5th WiDS Maastricht Datathon Event. This dynamic event featured data science tutorials, a two-day collaborative hackathon, a pitch session, and networking activities.

Nearly 60 participants, organized into 15 teams, joined from academia and industry, representing diverse backgrounds and career stages. Participants connected, learned from one another, and enhanced their data science skills by tackling a challenge in breast cancer treatment. During the pitch session, teams showcased their methods, addressed the bias and fairness of their models, and shared key lessons learned over the two days.

WiDS Tacoma @ UW Tacoma

The WiDS Tacoma @ UW Tacoma regional conference brought together attendees to engage with exceptional women researchers applying data science across diverse fields, including cybersecurity, bioinformatics, robotics, privacy, and transportation. The lively discussions sparked significant interest, inspiring more students from underrepresented groups to explore data science. The event welcomed 30 participants.

WiDS Barcelona Biomedicine

WiDS Barcelona Biomedicine was independently organized by WiDS ambassadors as part of the global initiative to increase women’s participation in data science and biomedicine while inspiring future generations. Held at Pompeu Fabra University, the event attracted over 200 in-person attendees, with a livestream on YouTube reaching over 550 views.

The program featured prominent speakers, including Núria Monsterrat, Catalonia’s Minister of Research and Universities, alongside experts in genomics, big data, and AI in clinical research. Most attendees were graduate students, and the afternoon sessions catered specifically to them with a career panel and networking activity. Denise Naniche, ISGlobal’s scientific director, inspired participants to become future role models and mentors, emphasizing the importance of striving for both technical excellence and authenticity—”with oneself and with others.” For more details about the event, visit: https://wids.isglobal.org/.

WiDS Tokyo @ Yokohama City University

The 6th WiDS Tokyo @ Yokohama City University highlighted “Thinking about the region, the world, and the future through data.” Judy Logan, former WiDS co-president, delivered a keynote on youth data science education and joined Ambassador Yoko Ono to discuss WiDS’ global impact and generative AI.

A Lightning Talk competition saw 199 applicants present on “Data Science x SDGs,” marking significant growth from previous years. The event also unveiled a fun AI education program developed with Wolfram Research for younger students. With 50 in-person and 300 online attendees, this final WiDS at Yokohama City University celebrated its role in advancing data science education in Japan. Watch the event.

WiDS Saudi Arabia

The fifth edition of WiDS Saudi Arabia launched in Riyadh and traveled across 10 cities in Saudi Arabia, empowering 30 technology ambassadors and reaching over 18,844 beneficiaries. With more than 3,010 participants, WiDS enriched knowledge in data science and AI within diverse communities.

Through webinars and workshops led by top experts, WiDS advanced women’s roles in data science and AI while fostering learning and collaboration. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by strengthening the female workforce and building partnerships with universities and tech organizations to enhance opportunities in tech.

By supporting women’s expertise, cultivating future ambassadors, and connecting researchers to global networks, WiDS continues to empower communities and create pathways for the next generation of data scientists.

WiDS @ Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University

The International Cross-Domain AI Symposium brought together AI enthusiasts and researchers to explore cutting-edge innovations across multiple domains. Featuring predominantly women speakers, the event welcomed in-person participants alongside an online keynote from an international speaker.

Attendees gained valuable insights into emerging AI trends, challenges, and ethical issues while engaging in interactive Q&A sessions with experts. The symposium provided a unique platform for networking, collaboration, and expanding perspectives.

With 65 participants, this vibrant event fostered an inclusive community at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, advancing AI research and education.

WiDS Austin @ IBM

The IBM Austin Datathon provided participants with hands-on experience analyzing cancer data using regression models and familiarizing themselves with essential tools like GitHub and Jupyter Notebooks.

The event featured a guest speaker from YouTube, who was highly praised by attendees for their insights. With around 20 participants, the Datathon created an engaging environment for learning and collaboration.

WiDS Chicago

The 2024 WiDS Chicago regional conference brought together 100 in-person attendees, featuring 5 speakers, 3 panelists, 9 ambassadors, and 11 sponsors. Sessions covered diverse and impactful topics, including preserving heritage through supercomputing, building data science careers, generative AI myths and realities, responsible AI governance, and AI’s role in transforming healthcare outcomes. A panel discussion on the emergence of open AI and its use cases further enriched the program, providing attendees with valuable insights and inspiration.

WiDS Livermore

The WiDS Livermore 2024 Datathon Upskill Workshop brought together 90 participants (46 in-person, 44 virtual), including LLNL employees, local university students, and Girls Who Code members, in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Keynote speaker Bhavani Thuraisingham captivated attendees with her talk on “Integrating AI and Cyber Security for Transportation Systems,” while Aneesha Devulapally led a hands-on tutorial on the Datathon dataset. Attendees gained practical insights into data science and cybersecurity, with feedback highlighting the event as an excellent introduction to datathons. This successful event reinforced the value of collaboration in addressing real-world challenges through data science.

WiDS Tunisia

WiDS Tunisia 2024 took place in the vibrant city of Tunis, bringing together 100 attendees from various fields during the BIGTECH event. Powered by the Tunisian AI Society (TAIS), the conference highlighted the role of women in data science and AI through engaging discussions and networking opportunities.

The event featured keynote sessions by Dr. Alya Yacoubi on emotional AI, Dr. Faten Chaieb on geometric deep learning, and Dr. Naoual Amrouche on AI/ML in marketing. Accomplished professionals Amira Romani and Hela Atmani shared their inspiring journeys, while Prof. Sihem Jaziri was honored for her contributions to quantum physics. A panel discussion focused on empowering Tunisian women researchers in AI, fostering meaningful dialogue and ideas to bridge the gender gap in AI research.

WiDS Tunisia 2024 was a milestone event, inspiring and empowering a new generation of leaders in data science.

WiDS New York @ IBM

WiDS Tunisia 2024 took place in the vibrant city of Tunis, bringing together 100 attendees from various fields during the BIGTECH event. Powered by the Tunisian AI Society (TAIS), the conference highlighted the role of women in data science and AI through engaging discussions and networking opportunities.

The event featured keynote sessions by Dr. Alya Yacoubi on emotional AI, Dr. Faten Chaieb on geometric deep learning, and Dr. Naoual Amrouche on AI/ML in marketing. Accomplished professionals Amira Romani and Hela Atmani shared their inspiring journeys, while Prof. Sihem Jaziri was honored for her contributions to quantum physics. A panel discussion focused on empowering Tunisian women researchers in AI, fostering meaningful dialogue and ideas to bridge the gender gap in AI research.

WiDS Tunisia 2024 was a milestone event, inspiring and empowering a new generation of leaders in data science.

WiDS Raleigh @ NC State University

The Women in Data Science watch party at Raleigh, NC State, for the 2024 WiDS Worldwide Stanford Conference brought together 15 in-person attendees, including faculty, staff, students, and community partners, with representation from Meredith College.

Keynote speaker Kristi Boyd inspired the audience with insights on data literacy, ethics, and career opportunities in data science, sparking engaging discussions and motivating participants.

One Meredith College attendee expressed interest in organizing a watch party at their campus in 2025, reflecting the event’s impact and its role in fostering a vibrant community of women in data science.

WiDS Pimpri-Chinchwad

The virtual WiDS Pimpri-Chinchwad regional conference was a successful event with 32 engaged attendees. The participants actively contributed to discussions, making it a valuable experience for everyone involved.

WiDS London @ University of Greenwich

The Upskill Workshop, “Unlocking the Power of Text: A Hands-on NLTK Workshop,” introduced attendees to text mining with NLTK. Held during Personal Development Week at the University of Greenwich, the hybrid event welcomed 27 participants (9 in person and 18 online), exclusively University of Greenwich students from computer science and data science programs.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with students highlighting the workshop’s value in kickstarting their use of NLTK for future projects.

WiDS Kenya

WiDS Kenya Datathon Workshops 2024 focused on the Datathon Challenge #1:”Equity in Healthcare” and aimed to prepare participants for the challenge.

Workshop I, held at Microsoft Office in Nairobi, featured team formation, networking, and the announcement of the datathon challenge. Workshop II, held online, focused on brainstorming the problem, with talks on AI policies and equity in healthcare by Dr. Wambui Mutura and Terry Mochire. The final workshop, also online, provided hands-on training on AI in healthcare.

WiDS Kansas

WiDS Stillwater

WiDS Cameroon

WiDS Cameroon was a resounding success, drawing an estimated 400 attendees and gaining attention from National Radio and Television media outlets. Participants explored AI tools through hands-on workshops, learned about data collection and analysis, and discovered applications of data and AI in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, media, and education.

Attendees expressed enthusiasm for continuous learning and a community to support their growth as they prepare for future events.

WiDS Twin Cities @ General Mills

WiDS Twin Cities @ General Mills was a resounding success, with 110 attendees (83 in-person, 27 virtual) representing 8 Twin Cities companies. The event featured 17 speakers, supported by 9 General Mills planning committee members and 15 day-of volunteers. Attendees praised the energy, organization, and content, with many asking about plans for expansion and ways to get more involved next year.

Highlights included engaging discussions, a strong speaker lineup, and gratitude from employees who traveled for the event, all affirming it was worth the trip. Feedback emphasized the variety of topics, technical depth, and the well-paced schedule. The event fostered countless connections and excitement for WiDS Twin Cities 2025.

WiDS Tokyo @ Shotoku

WiDS Tokyo @ Shotoku highlighted the growing role of data science education in Japan, featuring examples like the use of Wolfram Alpha at Yokohama City University and Kyoto Notre Dame University. Students from Shotoku Academy’s Data Science Course showcased their inquiry-based projects, and Professor Yoko Ono from Otsuma Women’s University delivered a keynote address.

As Japan’s first event focused on high school-level data science education, it drew participants from high school students to university faculty. The event provided a rare opportunity to explore practical approaches and hear from women actively applying data science across diverse fields, fostering learning and inspiration.

WiDS @ MathWorks

With the theme of “United We Thrive”, this event featured Mekides Mezgebu as our Keynote speaker and Chisoo Lyons, Renée Richardson Gosline, Jennifer Dy, Mary Ann Freeman, and Louvere Walker-Hannon for a panel discussion on “Pioneering the Future: Women Leading the AI Movement”.This was a non-technical event, and we received positive feedback about our guest speakers. One attendee even said the event was eye-opening, as it brought attention to issues they wouldn’t have thought of themselves. The panel covered a diverse array of topics, such as the impact of technology on modern-day parenting and all the small ways we can encourage girls to be involved in data science and other male-dominated fields.

WiDS Eugene

WiDS Eugene 2024 was a great opportunity for UO students to engage with faculty and industry members. Designed to be an intro to hosting the event, the UO Data Science Department held an open house throughout the day with a live stream of the SF event, culminating in an afternoon panel on careers in DS. The panel included 6 women from industry and academia, answering questions about their career trajectory, and having lively discussions about differences and similarities in industries. After the panel, the students had opportunity to engage in small groups with the panelists.

WiDS Upper Bavaria

The two-day workshop, brought together 40 parents, teachers, and educators to explore the power of coding for children. Led by Fahima Abram Mohammadi and moderated by Laila Habibi, the event covered strategies for nurturing children’s talents, aligning coding with their interests, and the benefits of coding for creativity and problem-solving.

Key highlights included child-friendly programming tools like Scratch and Blockly, tips for supporting digital learning, and strategies for building confidence and motivation in children.

WiDS Africa

The WiDS Africa Datathon 2024, centered around the theme of equity in healthcare, successfully tackled disparities and advanced inclusivity within the field. With 41 attendees, WiDS Africa fostered a collective understanding of the challenges and opportunities to pave the way for fair and accessible healthcare across diverse communities.

WiDS Oulu

The AI Innovations Workshop, hosted by WiDS Oulu, gathered experts and AI enthusiasts to explore generative models and conversational systems. Key topics included Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), LangChain for chatbot design, AI chatbot evolution, and AI agents. Highlights included RAG’s data-enhanced responses and LangChain’s context-aware system insights. Though Q&A was moderate, the event’s content was impactful. Recordings will aid those who missed it. The workshop emphasized AI’s transformative potential and the need for ethical innovation.

WiDS Bengaluru

The event centered on AI’s transformative role in healthcare, attracting a diverse group of professionals and experts. Dr. Geetha Manjunath’s keynote on AI’s impact on patient care, diagnostics, and treatment sparked engaging discussions. The event featured 9 sessions, covering AI applications in predictive analytics, personalized medicine, and robotic surgery. Over 100 participants praised the interactive format and practical insights, highlighting the value of knowledge exchange. Attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with the event successfully empowering healthcare professionals to leverage AI for better patient care.