During Toronto Tech Week, BrainTrainr hosted an event in this global AI powerhouse, showcasing the immense possibilities, highlighting a vital dimension of its future: one Latin American in nature❣️
Build our future the Latin@ way served as testament to the tenacity required to bring a transformative idea to life. A space packed with collective ambition of Latinx professionals versed in AI, held an inspiring panel with 4 SMEs with Colombian roots, including three women: Diana Moyano, Cindy Espitia, Ph.D., and Juliana Montoya.
Watching Diana represent the Vector Institute on the panel, filled my heart with immense pride. Seeing Dr Cindy and Juliana—my invaluable partners in building the Canadian chapter of Latinas in Tech—alongside Patricia and Ethel, in a room brimming with like-minded individuals, painted a picture of the talent and drive within a community poised to shape the future of AI.
Juliana articulated AI's profound operational and cultural impact, extending beyond technology. She highlighted its internal use for generating summaries and audit trails and creating 360-degree client profiles for enhanced personalization across industries. A focus on improving both employee and customer experiences was coupled with a reminder of the power in representation and the importance of believing in what we bring to the table, recognizing our inherent value.
Diana reinforced essential AI adoption steps: defined use case, clear structure, strategic approach, and demonstrable value. She highlighted our role as "translators" between tech and business, fostering collaboration for a faster, better society by embracing change and trusting diverse expertise.
The fourth panelist Mario A. Matiz, left me with a simple yet profound message: gratitude and family are foundational, and finding our focus is paramount.
Julian Urrego Arango encouraged us to view AI as a powerful tool to unlock our skills and solve current problems, emphasizing that impacting others' lives begins by helping those around us.
Sebastian Borjas offered a grounding reflection: remember the sacrifices our parents made that paved our way. Personally, I stand high on the shoulders of my dad, a brilliant giant who never doubted me, and my mother, whose unquestionable support made everything possible and seamless.
Dr. Cindy, whom I profoundly admire, underlined the critical role of domain knowledge and SMEs in conveying valuable information by honing our skillsets. She perfectly encapsulated AI's ultimate value: giving back time for what truly matters, bringing her closer to her children.
"The reason I am here tonight is because I am passionate about giving my daughter the chance to do anything she wants and not be bound by conservative expectations". That resonated profoundly with me. If I can inspire a girl to dream big, my job building community through representation with Latinas in Tech - Canada, is worth every second ❣️
