Women in Tech: At the forefront of innovation - Key takeaways from Eikku Koponen, Renessai

We are delighted to profile our Women in Tech series, where we will hear interesting stories from inspirational people leading the charge at the forefront of innovation.

In episode 8, we hear from Eikku Koponen, a Statistician & Data Scientist, and Chief AI officer & Co-founder of Renessai. Eikku is a leader in Helsinki, Finland, at the forefront of AI development and ethics, who has made a significant impact in the machine learning space. 

Interviewed by Jenny Rontu, Dispute Resolution Senior Associate in our Helsinki office, Eikku joins us to discuss one of today’s most pressing topics: the impact of artificial intelligence on women and minorities, as well as the opportunities AI presents.

Eikku has seen the tech landscape evolve at lightning speed and brings her expertise and unique perspective to the ongoing discussions around AI, diversity, and the rapid development of emerging technologies. Listen to the podcast here and read the key takeaways below.

• AI is changing the world at an unprecedented pace: Eikku talks about the rapid pace of development in AI, particularly with large language models. As more people get access to AI tools, the opportunity to innovate is immense, but so is the risk. Eikku highlights how AI tools are being used for both positive and negative purposes, which leads to concerns about misuse, especially when younger, less educated users access these technologies.
• The need for regulation and education in AI: The topic of AI regulation comes up, with Eikku discussing the challenges of implementing effective rules, especially when it comes to young users or individuals with limited resources. She advocates for stronger regulations aimed at the companies behind these technologies, but also emphasises the importance of education to empower users and professionals to understand and responsibly engage with AI.
• The impact of AI on women and underrepresented groups: Eikku speaks about the significant opportunities AI offers to women and underrepresented groups in tech, as companies increasingly realise the value of diversity in building innovative solutions. However, she also points out the challenges that remain, such as the pressure of keeping up with the fast-paced development of AI and the unequal access to resources that often leaves marginalised groups behind.
• Bias in AI: a critical issue: As a statistician, Eikku has a deep understanding of how bias can infiltrate AI models. She explains how large language models are trained on internet resources that often reflect cultural and gender biases. This can lead to models that unintentionally reinforce stereotypes, such as assuming male figures are more likely to be experts in certain fields, even in cases where this isn’t true.
• The importance of resilience and adaptability: Eikku shares a valuable piece of advice for anyone looking to succeed in the rapidly evolving tech space: believe in yourself. She encourages aspiring tech leaders to trust in their ideas and to seek help and advice when needed. The constant flux of technological advancements makes it difficult to set specific long-term goals, but adaptability and perseverance are key.
• The role of women in driving AI forward: In the final moments of the podcast, Eikku touches on how women in AI can shape the future of the industry. With a growing recognition of the need for diversity, women can be at the forefront of redefining AI and ensuring that it’s developed responsibly, inclusively, and for the benefit of everyone.