Sheila Gemin, ING: my tech story

How did your career start and where did your love of technology come from?

My career in consulting started in early 2000. After I received my degree in engineering I worked as an engineer at a tech company. My love for technology started when I was playing computer games as a young teenager. At a young age I was immensely interested in my father’s hobby. My father’s hobby was communicating with people over the world through his own build radio equipment, including a transmission tower in our back garden. I was already taught Morse Code and the fundamentals of radio transmission at that age.

Despite the expectations to become a professional musician, I decided that Technology would be my future.

You are speaking about AI at the event in Amsterdam. What do you think will be the most significant and/or meaningful benefit of AI to society and business in general?

One of the most significant and meaningful benefits of AI to society and business is its ability to augment human capabilities, leading to increased productivity, efficiency, and innovation. From a societal point of view, AI has the potential to increase equality by addressing biases, providing access to information and resources, and creating opportunities for marginalized communities.

What are the finance-specific benefits of AI?

Regarding finance-specific benefits, AI offers automated and algorithmic trading, risk management, fraud detection, and enhanced customer and employee experiences. AI in finance has the potential to improve efficiency, reduce costs, mitigate risks, and enhance decision-making processes, ultimately driving growth and innovation in the financial industry.

Conversely, what are the dangers of AI? What approach should AI developers take in controlling for bias?

Conversely, while AI itself is not dangerous, its misuse or unethical application by humans can lead to unintended consequences and ethical dilemmas. It's crucial for AI developers to control bias by working with frameworks that ensure diverse and representative data, conducting bias audits and assessments, promoting transparency and explain ability, defining fairness metrics and evaluations, and implementing human oversight and intervention.

What would you say to your younger self about pursuing a career in tech?

If I were to advise my younger self about pursuing a career in technology, I would say that technology will become essential in the future. Combining tech with your passions will make you unbeatable. Just go for it and enjoy the journey.

What is the biggest challenge facing women in technology?

The challenges women face in technology vary. Some may face the challenge of being the first in certain roles or environments, while others may struggle to maintain motivation and morale in male-dominated sectors.

Why do you come to EWIT?

Regarding attending EWIT, aside from the great content and inspiration, meeting women from diverse backgrounds with different ideas is something I missed as a younger engineer. It's an inspiring and enriching event that never disappoints.