Josephine’s video message for WBE Canada’s celebration of the 2023 International Women’s Day!

Transcript

Hi, I am Josephine Yam, an AI lawyer, AI ethicist, and the CEO & Co-Founder of Skills4Good AI. 

As a woman, a person of color, and an immigrant entrepreneur, I am thrilled to celebrate International Women’s Day with you and the WBE Canada community. This year’s theme, “Embrace Equity,” is significant to me, especially regarding data privacy and responsible AI in our increasingly digital world. 

I co-founded Skills4Good AI to help companies use tech for good. We help organizations navigate the complex and ever-changing global landscape of data privacy and AI compliance. Everyone has the right to control their personal information, and all companies are accountable for using AI for good.  

But why is this so important? Because data privacy and responsible AI are not just technical issues. They are issues of equity and social justice. In a world where technology is becoming increasingly integrated into every aspect of our lives, we must ensure that it is being used in a way that protects and respects our human rights.   

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. We’ve all heard stories of companies that violate our human right to privacy by misusing customers’ data for profit. We’ve also heard stories of biased algorithms that discriminate against women, persons of color, or members of underrepresented groups, which violates our human right to equality.   

This is unacceptable. We must all work together to create a world where technology empowers people, not exploits them.  

They say that it takes a village to raise a successful woman entrepreneur. On behalf of Skills4Good AI, I sincerely thank WBE Canada for nurturing a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Thanks so much for embracing and supporting Canadian women entrepreneurs to grow and scale globally.  

As members of this incredible entrepreneurial ecosystem, let’s embrace equity in all we do by recognizing the importance of data privacy and responsible AI. Let’s all work together to create a future where technology promotes a more just and equitable world for all.  

Thank you and Happy International Women’s Day!