AI Diversity and Inclusion: People, Not AI, are at the Center of the Debate.
I remember a time, not too long ago, when a colleague and I joked that we wished we could work with robots. Sure, they might glitch now and then, but at least they wouldn’t come with fragile egos and power trips. Turns out, those robots might not be as far off as we thought…and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s being predicted that AI will be smarter than the smartest human in the next year or two.
Being a marketer means you love change. We thrive on the next big thing so AI’s early arrival couldn’t be more fascinating. Unfortunately, when I get together with other marketing leaders, it feels like a joint therapy session. The common frustration is the tug of war between facts and power. Fact vs. Power. Sounds familiar. In a corporate setting…who do you think has the least amount of power?
AI and Inclusion: Leveling the Playing Field
Source: Women in the Workplace Study LeanIn.org + McKinsey & Company
The statistics don’t lie. Even in diverse workplaces, minorities and women lag far behind when it comes to leadership positions and decision-making power. Even with a mountain of evidence, frustratingly, I myself have experienced my perspectives pushed aside by someone with more power. And I’ve spoken directly to many others who have had similar experiences. Maybe it’s in our heads. So, let’s see what purely logical AI has to say about this…
I asked Chat GPT 3.5 this very question, and here’s the answer:
…individuals who belong to historically marginalized or underrepresented groups may face additional challenges in asserting their power and influence within the leadership team. This could be due to systemic biases, stereotypes, and structural barriers that exist within the organization or society at large.
Chat GPT went on to suggest corporations should invest in empowering these individuals and so on. Good luck with that. But AI might just be the equalizer we need. Let’s see if those who’ve ignored the truth for so long can handle a dose of pure logic.
My AI-Fueled Awakening: Embracing AI and Diversity
When ChatGPT was released in November of 2022, I was hooked. I started off by having it write silly poems for friends and family. I was blown away by what it could do, and their reactions were even more surprising – shocked and impressed by how good this AI was. That’s when I knew the potential was enormous, and I immediately started using it for my work emails and blogs.
Unfortunately, the release of ChatGPT came at a time when I was experiencing a soul-crushing corporate experience that pushed me to my breaking point. I knew I had to make some serious changes. Mentally, physically, the works. Six months of forced regeneration followed (and trust me, that sounds a lot nicer than it felt!). No devices, Buddhist chanting, a half-marathon…I had one key goal, getting my head back on straight. It was a low point, for sure.
Then, in December 2023, Google released Gemini, and my AI flame was reignited…Podcasts, blogs, news, testing out every AI tool I could find, even brainstorming this blog with Google Gemini Advanced… it was an obsession. And like any good marketer, I saw an opportunity. In just 3 weeks, I used AI to build the foundation of a marketing agency – strategy, branding, website, the whole nine yards. It was mind-blowing, and I signed my first client before I’d even launched.
AI and Inclusion: Leveling the Playing Field
That’s when it hit me: AI has the potential to level the playing field, especially for entrepreneurs battling limited resources and systemic barriers. This is our moment to seize this opportunity, to build a future where every entrepreneur, regardless of background, has the tools to succeed. This isn’t just about innovation, it’s about rewriting the rules and building a brighter future where potential isn’t crushed, but celebrated.
In Silicon Valley, perfection is basically a swear word. Seriously, the whole “launch, learn, iterate” thing is our mantra. Anyone trying to nail down perfect 5-year plans in the age of AI? Bless their hearts, they’re already dinosaurs. Let’s be real, the only way to dismantle the old, broken systems is to get out there and make some bold moves.
Women and minority-led businesses need to leverage AI with the same tenacity others are bringing to the table. Economic empowerment means having a say in how the pie is sliced, AI is how we’re getting our hands on the knife.
Why I’m launching an AI Marketing Agency
I’m launching witOmni.com, an AI marketing agency, because I want to see a more pronounced emergence of inclusive companies with diverse leadership. The status quo is beyond boring. Only 2% of venture funding goes to women. It’s 2024…only 2%? How is that even possible when women (39%) hold more college degrees then men (36.2%)? We’re all tired of the same old song and dance, right? It’s about funding, sure, because frankly, it’s insulting that we still have to fight for a level playing field. But it’s bigger than that. It’s about acknowledging the invisible hurdles women and minorities face every single day. From the mental load of childcare to, ahem, the whole “carrying a human being inside you” thing, while somehow pretending you’re not about to lose your mind – yeah, that takes a toll. This is about creating a space where everyone, regardless of background or biology, has the chance to shine. Because, the world needs what we’ve got to offer, and it shouldn’t take a miracle (or a menopausal epiphany) to make it happen.
It’s Happening, so Get Ready
So, are you ready to rewrite the rules? If you’re tired of the BS and fired up to create a more inclusive future, shoot me an email or sign-up for our newsletter. We don’t have more time to waste.
-written with the help of Gemini Advanced and Chat GPT Plus (4.0)