Women WithAI: Accelerating Action for Women: Celebrating International Women's Day 2025

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:00:05

Instagram is a great place to go for AI tips. And there was someone that said, this will change your life if you put in there "I need a five day meal plan. These...this is my budget, or these are the ingredients, or this is what the kind of things I like. This is what I want to do. This is my local shop. Give me like five ideas." You're listening to WithAI FM.

ate International Women's Day: 2025

And so as this is such a great opportunity to tie AI, gender equality and action together, I am joined by two very special guests today. The hosts of Relationships WithAI and Creatives WithAI. So, so over to you.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:00:56

Hi, my name is Iyabo and I'm the host of Relationships WithAI and I look specifically at relationships and how AI impacts that. Looking at family, romantic relationships, the future of work, business and a whole host of other things.

So, really excited to be here with you, Jo and Lena.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:01:15

Hi, I'm Lena Robinson. I'm the host of Creatives WithAI and I talk to creatives from all sorts of parts of the industry.

It can be graphic designers, it can be artists, it can be...we've just done a composer just recently and looking at the impact that AI is having specifically on the output, workflow and just general way of working for people that consider themselves creatives. So, yeah, that's kind of me.

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:01:44

Thank you both. It's such a joy to have you here.

So we thought we'd look at some questions today and just sort of ask each other the same questions just so we can sort of like, you know, get a feel for where we are and how we're accelerating action and what we think on International Women's Day. So I'll kick off my question.

My first question to both of you is, was there one moment in your career where you had to accelerate action to make a difference? Let's start with you, Iyabo.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:02:09

Well, yes, there have been a number of points in my career where I've had to accelerate action to make a difference, but I think a notable one was when I was. I've had a background in the space of youth work and youth work operations and having to turn around a failing youth provision.

And so with that I implemented a whole change management structure, working with the staff team and helping them from an underperforming youth Provision all the way up to looking at training and also looking at the ways that we serve the young people in the local area.

And then the output was really exciting because after about 18 months of hard graft, we as a team really worked well together and turned around that youth provision had increased numbers of young people attending the space. Really great feedback from the parents, really enjoying the work that we're doing and also great feedback from the.

My bosses who really appreciated the work that had been done by the entire team. So that's been a sort of real important landmark in my career journey. What about you, Lena?

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:03:30

Well, I was thinking about this and like yourself, there's been loads of moments, but one that jumps out in particular, which I think a lot of women will have experience, experienced it in one way, shape or form is I applied for. It's actually something that happened to me, but I then went on to use it to help women that I mentored afterwards.

It was my last job and they offered me, despite having done nine interviews to get the offer.

And the entire way through my headhunter and myself being really clear what my lowest level of pay was, they tried to offer me in the contract that they sent to me to sign, £20,000 less than what I said was my minimum. And the background of it was that I hadn't worked for a while.

I'd been sort of jumping between figuring out whether I wanted to freelance or go back to work or what have you. I had £50 left in my overdraft. I was financially fucked. That would have. That freaked me out.

But I held my ground and I sort of took a deep breath and I went back to them and was very clear about the fact that I'd been clear all the way through how much my minimum was. I wasn't going to accept anything less than that minimum. And they said, well, it's what the budget is.

And my answer to them was, well, I took a deep breath to do this, was, you better go find the budget then, hadn't you? Because you clearly want me. You've gone through nine interviews. It's a operational board level role.

If you want me, you're going to have to go away and get the money. I waited 24 hours the next day, 24 hours, I got an answer back. Luckily it was in my favor. They said, we found the money, they gave me a new contract.

And I think the point of it is sometimes you have to accelerate action for yourself because that you make a difference for yourself.

I think that's really important because I think that's that's probably something that happens a lot to women, but I think it happens a lot to everybody. The difference is men tend to chase after it and not back down, and women will tend to accept it.

And I think we need to start taking responsibility for that ourselves.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:05:43

Yeah, that sounds like, again, I agree in so many with all those points that you made, it sounds like you standing your ground and backing yourself.

And that for us is a way to accelerate action, it's just so important because we're socialised as women in the workspace to be a helper, a supporter and champion and be the muscle actually behind a lot of initiatives that get pushed forward. I know for me, as a female leader within the youth space, that was met with a lot of opposition in that. In the change management example that I used.

But to your point, Lena, just that whole process of backing yourself and standing firm and produces results because actually that is what is needed to have us to overcome and to achieve that. What about for yourself, Jo? How have you seen it?

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:06:47

Yeah, I mean, I'll just back what you said Iyabo. About what, when...what happened to Lena?

After speaking to so many women on this podcast, there is a real difference with how men and women ask for pay rises as well. So even, you know, going in there and actually not going, oh, okay, yeah, start me at the bottom. It's like, no, we have to believe in ourselves.

So, yeah, I think for me, like, to accelerate action.

I was going to say it was when I made the switch from working in a sales role to marketing, because I was on the phone, I was talking to people, I was trying to sell advertising space in this amazing magazine.

But at the time, I was like, these marketing people I'm speaking to, I could do the job better than them, you know, and I was like, I want to be the person that is making these decisions, not the one that's being sold to, and so I was just, well, hang on, let's. Let's make that change. Let's do it. So I did.

I paid for myself to do the CIM, the Chartered Institute of Marketing Qualification. And I did. I changed the career. The company I was working for as a publishing company, they were like, oh, okay.

Because I said, look, we haven't even got a marketing department. You know, I'm sat here speaking to all these people. And they said, well, how do you want to use this? What do you want?

And I said, yeah, make me a marketing manager. And they did. Perfect. But it just leads to so many other things.

So actually my real answer that I then, when we were thinking of, you know, when I was thinking what to say to this was probably the moment in my career where I've accelerated action is this. It's launching Women WithAI. It's advocating, you know, for Women and for AI in what? Education and AI and diversity.

And, you know, there's a point, I think, when you do realise that there's no right time for anything to happen, so there's no point waiting, Just go for it. If you've got an idea and you want something to happen, then, you know, change only happens when you decide to make it happen.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:08:33

Yeah.

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:08:34

And I think we're all learning so much, aren't we, with AI? And AI is evolving so fast, and I think we can't wait. We can't afford to wait for others to open doors for us.

You know, we have to stack through them ourselves.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:08:48

I agree. I agree. So, Iyabo, you were going to ask us a question about. Well, the next question.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:08:54

Yeah.

My question for us three is if we were to give one piece of advice to anyone listening, men or women, or I should say women or men, let's put it in the right order, who want to be supportive in taking action, what would that be?

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:09:12

For me, the one piece of advice is listening to what's going on. Advocate for yourself. And if the men are wanting to know what to do, listen, listen to us a bit more.

I think they tend to talk over the top of us, but then they talk over each other. So it's just a thing.

So, yeah, it's the listening to each other, hearing what we actually have to say, and giving each other the space to have a voice. Because I think a lot of the times, women often feel like they don't have a voice.

And unlike myself, one of the things I've had to learn is that when I go into a boardroom, I am very confident. So when a man or anybody starts to talk over me, I talk louder.

What I have had to learn is that not everybody does that or feels like they can do that, although I do recommend everybody do that. So if somebody starts talking over you, just talk fucking louder. Don't let them do it. Just don't let them do it. So, yeah, that's my advice.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:10:21

And what about for you, Jo?

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:10:22

I would say my answer, how to be supportive is I think for everyone is just to be intentional and be intentional with what it is that you're doing.

And I think this is International Women's Day and I think, you know, we're talking about diversity, equity, inclusion, but don't, don't just talk about it. We all need to actively support women by advocating for them, making space for their voices.

Like you say, Lena, you know, like, don't let people talk over you. But sometimes you have to like make that voice heard. You have to do that yourself.

But also it's like actually, you know, I see it in meetings and you probably do as well when there are other women that are sort of waiting to say something. It's like, don't wait even jumping in and going, oh, I think Lena's got something to say, I think Jo's got something to say.

I think Iyabo's got something to say. Just supporting women because, you know, the AI is reshaping the workforce and that's what we're talking about.

And if women aren't part of that shift, the gender gap is just going to widen even more. You know, and support can be as simple as recommending a woman for a leadership role.

You know, it's all about the right person for the role and having the right skills. But I think it's, it's actually, you know, supporting each other and yeah, recommending women, ensuring that the hiring processes are inclusive.

Because AI is providing so many upskilling opportunities. This is the time for women to grab those opportunities and not be scared and not think, oh, it's techy, it's nerdy. No, it's change management.

It's, you know, use your transferable skills. So I think it's, you know, to help other women take action as well as yourself. That is my advice.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:11:51

Yeah, I mean, both of your points just have really been spot on and for myself, I'm more of the for men and for women. If you're in a senior position and you see junior team members who are female be their sponsors.

I know that I have had really incredible experiences as a result of somebody proactively championing me and mentioning my name in rooms where I don't have access. And so that's a practical way to open the door.

And specifically in the space of AI, just that opportunity of being able to do the way of being able to encourage women to be in places whereby the decisions are being made.

So if they're not in the, in those specific rooms, get them orbiting around the individuals who are the key decision makers and encouraging them to have the coffees, go to the sort of networking events whereby they will be in that space.

Because I know that face to face and I know this is my experience in the AI space, having face to face conversations with people accelerates those changes in a far faster way. So. And that is, that has been real support.

I mean, this is testament to, you know, me being in the AI community and learning as much as possible here. So certainly all of the men that I've seen who've championed me have placed me in spaces that I would not.

If I was just trying to apply online as a faceless individual, that wouldn't have happened. But going proactively to speak and interact, that makes such a difference.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:13:39

I think that's really cool.

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:13:41

Yeah, it's such an amazing opportunity we've all got here. You know, we're part of the AI revolution and that's. Yes, that's the, you know, we don't want anyone to be left behind.

Like, you know, you know, I speak about bias as well on my show quite a bit. And you know, if women aren't involved in AI development, then the bias gets coded into the future. So this is it.

We need to encourage women to be AI doctors, investors, innovators.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:14:05

I mean, one of the things that comes up time and time again on creators with AI is the requirement for the human to be part of the solution. And I think, and you know, it comes up time and time again that it's only reflecting what we're giving it.

So we as women in business and then in AI, we need to be categorically with the support, to your point, Iyabo, of the men around us are really amazing to drive that, that change in the bias because the bias, because we, I don't want to say we're letting it, but we need to change it. Like we need to be part of that change. So yeah, it's doing what we're, we're giving it, we need to give it more.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:14:50

And agreed.

I think I certainly know that with the guests that I speak to on Relationships WithAI, that whole thing, sort of, that sort of connection and the crossover between what's inputted into the, the actual generative AI space and then the outcome makes such a difference.

But it's just that it's the relationship of sort of how do you, how do you build those, foster those communities that will bring about change as well and just.

Yeah, bring about the outcomes that we want to see whereby there is a high representation of women in this space and being at the decision making point, which is key.

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:15:34

Yeah, because we're underrepresented anyway, you know, in the higher echelons of business and stuff. So, you know, we don't want to be underrepresented in AI leadership. No, mentorship. I quite like, like you say, like people that are championing.

Championing you.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:15:49

That's, yeah, the sponsorship side of things because I think like with many groups of people who are underrepresented, there's a leaning towards, there's a heavy emphasis on mentorship alone. And that is important. But actually sponsorship is actually what breaks barriers and pushes doors.

So actually somebody saying, mentioning you in rooms and in spaces where you may not have access to, because then that elevates. I've seen. So that's personally in my own personal working experience.

But also I'm sure a lot of our female listeners and male listeners could relate to.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:16:26

Yeah, definitely. Right, so we got, we've got one more question and it's a bit of a fun one. So if we're all using AI and loving it.

So if you, if AI could automate that one thing in our daily life to free up time for action, what would it be? Jo, you. You start with A.

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:16:46

Okay, I think someone said it. Someone else has said this. I'm not going to claim their answer. I can't remember who it was. And we should try and find out. Put it in the show notes.

But I'd like some AI to do the housework, to do something that free up my time so I could do all the other. So I can be doing the creative stuff. You know, AI shouldn't replace creativity or leadership.

But I think, you know, if it can take some of that mental load off, some of that organising, some of that balancing kind of like your work home balance. I don't know, it's like having that, is that agentic AI? I don't know.

It's like if it can manage your schedules, reduce your admin, I mean, that's, you know, that's what I use it for at work. It's kind of like reducing that kind of like grunt work kind of stuff that can take a long time.

It takes time to get, you know, the AI to know what you want it to do, which is why it's important to be going back to it. But I think, yeah, I want it to be doing my housework so that I can go and do a painting or do some more rowing or, you know, in the sunshine.

Over to you, Iyabo.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:17:51

Yeah, I think that actually is a great, brilliant, brilliant idea.

I think the thing I would love it to do again, it's like, not that all things are domestic related, but like meal planning and just going and making suggestions for like things that we can, you know, just create. I like, I like Being creative in the kitchen but like sometimes you get a bit stayed if you're just doing the same thing all the time.

So actually having help with that, that's it. Sort of being introduced to new foods and how to do it really. Yeah, really quickly and it be a successful and tasteful meal.

I'm a great cook, but I want that.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:18:40

Yeah, you can.

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:18:41

I saw something on Instagram. Instagram is a great place to go for AI tips. And there was someone that said this will change your life if you put in there.

I need a five day meal plan. These, this is my budget or these are the ingredients or this is what the kind of things I like. This is what I want to do. This is my local shop.

Give me like five ideas.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:18:59

So I'll try and find the for the show notes. Yes. Yes.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:19:01

I was gonna say yes. Yes, Yes. Yes Yes.

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:19:08

What do you say Lena?

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:19:10

Well, I. Do you know what? I had a long think about this and like the two of you and a lot of people that I'm talking to.

In fact it came up on my show the other day. AI for me is about giving me headspace because I cannot because of my brain.

The way it works, it doesn't function very well when I'm overloaded and overwhelmed. So my answer to this question. Question...is I'm 52 years old at the end of the month. Adulting's still hard. It's really, really hard. Just adulting.

Right. And so the number one thing for me, I mean, running your own business, you've got lots. Not only is life admin. difficult, but business admin.

I wanted to take away all the daily administration. It draws me into a place where like, it's just annoying. Like piles of receipts. Like it does some of it, but I need it to do more.

So yeah, like help me with adulting.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:20:12

All three points. All three points. You know, housework.

Because then that frees us all up to be able to do that, to speak to the women that we want to speak to, to do the relationships that we really want to focus and invest in and to be creative and to inter and to be disruptive in those spaces. Yes. I say yes.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:20:34

Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, so that's mine.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:20:36

Basically, it's what we're talking about. The general theme is about time. Time is really precious.

We want to buy back our time and time to really invest it in the things that really nourish us. And that is what is. That is what we're looking at. You know, again, on relationships. AI, it's like, what is it that really. Nourishes us.

We've just expressed what gives us. I end my show with what gives us warm fuzzies and what gives us the ick.

And the ick is clearly our time being sapped by things that we just know that are repetitive, robotic and could be offloaded to something else that would free us up to do the thing that we really love to do.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:21:17

I love it. I think, I think one of the things that, you know, you get a lot of people that you talk to still quite fearful of the change that AI is bringing.

And it is coming and that's not gonna go away and it is gonna bring change. We're gonna have to learn to adjust. However, the one big beautiful thing that I think we need to remember about it is that it can free up our minds.

There's so many clever people out there that because they're in the daily grind, their creativity. And I want to be really clear for me what creativity is. It's not just being able to draw or paint or sculpt or make music or whatever.

Sometimes it's just the ability to be innovative and think differently and do something. They don't get the headspace to do that.

And I think AI for me, and I think for many people I know is going to bring so much opportunity to be able to bring...bring to the fore people that have just have, for whatever reason decided to have a day to day job. But in actual fact they're really creative in their thinking, inventing, coming up with ideas or ideation or what have you.

And I think they've not had the chance for it because they've been focusing too much on the day to day. I think maybe it helps.

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:22:34

I don't...know what ladies, I think we smashed it. I think, you know, we have.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:22:41

Yay. Love it.

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:22:44

AI is the most powerful tool of our time and it's already accelerating industries, decision making, economic growth, freeing up our time. But I think unless women are part of shaping it, we do risk being left behind.

his International Women's Day: 2025

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:23:04

I love it. I think the WithAI Network is all of us women, the three of us. And it also has got really supportive men as well.

We have got one, Nadio who does the education one. He's done an amazing article that I think we'll be sharing at some point, probably in the show notes as well.

So just a shout out to Dave, and the other Dave, and Nadio, and Will and everybody in our group. That's been really supportive as well. Like we're not...what I do want to be really positive about and I think ladies will agree is like thanks to the blokes that are supporting us as well. Like go you. But we're amazing.

Joanna Shilton - Host: 00:23:51

Yeah, yeah. We are going to put all of this in the show, notes and links to Iyabo, your show and Lena at your show.

So I think all that leads me to say is Iyabo Oba and Lena Robinson, thank you so much for coming on Women WithAI.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:24:05

You are very welcome. And I just want to do a shout out to everybody to stay curious.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:24:11

Yeah. And thanks so much for having us. It's been an awesome discussion and it's great to sort of share the platform. So. Yeah, great stuff.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:24:21

Accelerate action, everyone.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:24:24

Yay. Awesome. And we're accelerating action. We love it.

Guest Host (Creatives WithAI): 00:24:28

One year celebration. See you later.

t Host (Relationships WithAI): 00:24:34

See you. Bye.