Artificial intelligence now plays a central role in technological debates. Yet behind the technical advances and promises of innovation, other questions are emerging: Who is involved in the decisions that will shape its development? Whose voices are represented in the forums where tomorrow’s rules are being shaped? And how can we ensure that the technologies of tomorrow do not replicate the blind spots and imbalances of the past?

These questions are at the heart of the thinkingof Angela Naser, Director of Women in Tech France and a consultant to the United Nations. In this interview, she shares her perspective on the challenges accompanying the rise of artificial intelligence and explains why diversity must be viewed as a strategic issue for governance, innovation, and competitiveness.

As she points out: “The question isn’t what kind of AI we’re going to build. The real question is: what kind of society do we want to build with the help of AI?”

Can you introduce yourself briefly and tell us about your background at the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, and international institutions?

My name is Angela Naser, and for many years I have been working at the intersection of technology, innovation, and social impact. My career has led me to work within international organizations, including the United Nations, while also being actively involved in the tech ecosystem through Women in Tech.

This dual background allows me to examine digital transformation from several perspectives: innovation, of course, but also governance, inclusion, ethics, and public policy.

Today, artificial intelligence lies at the heart of these challenges. We often tend to view AI as a technological issue, when in fact it is first and foremost a social revolution. It will transform professions, access to knowledge, public services, healthcare, education, and even international relations. The real question is no longer whether AI will transform our societies, but how we will guide this transformation in a responsible and inclusive manner.

You work in environments where strategic decisions about technology are made. In your opinion, who is currently involved in shaping the rules that will govern the AI of the future?

The governance of AI cannot be left solely to technology companies.

Today, we are witnessing a collaborative effort involving governments, international institutions, businesses, researchers, the academic community, and civil society.

Artificial intelligence has become a matter of national sovereignty as strategic as energy or defense. The questions we now face are fundamental: Where is our data stored? Who controls the models? Who sets the rules?

The decisions made today will have consequences for decades to come. It is therefore essential that AI governance be as diverse as the populations it will affect and that Europe fully play its part. Europe has the talent, leading researchers, and innovative companies. The challenge now is to accelerate its scaling up to remain a major player in this technological revolution.

Why is it important to have more women in these decision-making and governance roles?

Because technologies are never completely neutral. They reflect the choices, experiences, and sometimes the biases of those who design them.

If women are absent from the forums where technological directions are decided, we run the risk of building systems that do not adequately take into account the reality of half of humanity.

Today, we have a unique opportunity to avoid repeating the mistakes made during previous technological revolutions. AI is changing the game, and we are still in the early stages of this transformation.

Women must be represented at all levels: as developers, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and decision-makers. They should not merely be users of technology, but also active participants in its design and governance.

Diversity is often discussed as an issue of representation. In your opinion, how is it also an issue of performance, competitiveness, and innovation?

Diversity is often presented as a moral obligation, yet it is also a strategic advantage.

Diverse teams are more innovative because they bring together different experiences, cultures, and ways of thinking. They are better at identifying risks, understand users more effectively, and develop solutions that are better suited to global markets.

In the field of AI, this issue is even more critical. AI developed by a minority of professionals risks replicating the biases of that minority. Building effective AI requires greater diversity not only in terms of gender, but also in terms of culture, social background, and academic disciplines.

The future of AI should not be built by a few for everyone, but by everyone for everyone.

As AI transforms organizations and industries, what are the main risks if certain voices or perspectives remain underrepresented?

The first risk is the replication of biases on a large scale. The data used to train the models sometimes contain historical biases that can be amplified by AI systems.

The second risk is that certain populations will be excluded from the benefits of this technological revolution.

But beyond these issues, the main challenge of AI remains deeply human. Contrary to popular belief, the major challenge is not the algorithm. It is training, cultural adaptation, reskilling, and change management.

I am convinced that AI will not replace humans. However, professionals who know how to use AI will replace those who do not. That is why we must invest heavily in lifelong learning so that everyone can benefit from the opportunities offered by this transformation.

Finally, there is a risk of a loss of trust. Citizens must be able to see themselves reflected in the technologies that shape their daily lives. Inclusion is therefore also an essential condition for the social acceptability of AI.

What kinds of conversations would you like to see emerge more frequently within the tech ecosystem in the coming years?

I'd like us to talk more about the human impact of technology.

We devote a great deal of time to model performance, computing power, and investments, but not enough to skills, education, inclusion, and governance.

I would also like us to talk more about sharing the value created by AI. According to numerous studies, artificial intelligence could generate trillions of euros in value in the coming years, with major impacts on productivity, healthcare, industry, the green transition, and public services.

But the success of AI will not be measured solely by the growth it generates. It will also be measured by our ability to ensure that this growth benefits as many people as possible.

Finally, I would like us to shift from viewing diversity as an HR issue to viewing it as a strategic issue. Inclusion is a driver of innovation, competitiveness, and collective performance.

What message would you like to share with women who want to play a more prominent role in the technology and artificial intelligence sectors today?

We are at a pivotal moment in the history of technology. The rules of the game are still being written.

I'd like to tell them that they don't need to wait until they're experts to take their rightful place. Their voices, their experiences, and their vision are already invaluable.

Artificial intelligence should not be developed for women; it should be developed with women.

The technologies that will shape the future require talent, boldness, and diverse perspectives. That is precisely why women must be represented at all levels: as engineers, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and decision-makers.

I would like to conclude with this conviction:

The question isn't what kind of AI we're going to build. The real question is: what kind of society do we want to build with the help of AI?

The artificial intelligence of tomorrow will need to be not only high-performing, but also ethical, inclusive, and responsible. After all, the future of AI will depend above all on the collective intelligence we are able to harness today.

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