#76: Bring Your Expertise: Why AI Needs More Voices

In this conversation, Joy Anderson and Mara Bolis discuss the intersection of gender lens investing and AI, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of technology. Mara shares her journey from working at Oxfam to exploring AI at the Kennedy School, and her reflections on addressing gender inequality in emerging technologies. They explore the challenges of navigating spaces traditionally dominated by experts and why it’s time to bring new types of knowledge into AI discussions. The conversation underscores the value of interdisciplinary approaches and the power of collective learning to empower underrepresented voices in the tech space.Episode Highlights00:00 - Introduction to AI and Power Dynamics03:11 - Imposter Syndrome and Interdisciplinary Leadership06:06 - The Importance of Domain Expertise in AI09:08 - Challenging Traditional Notions of Expertise11:55 - The Role of Gender in Economic Systems15:12 - Agency and Participation in AI Development17:59 - Practical Tips for Engaging in AI20:49 - Building Community and Learning TogetherRelevant LinksCriterion Institute website and LinkedInJoy’s LinkedInMara's LinkedInDive DeeperDisrupting FieldsFostering a Feminist Financial ImaginationIntroducing Standards of Practice for Gender Lens InvestingIf enjoyed this episode, consider listening to “Knowledge and Power,” which offers language for recognizing and challenging whose expertise carries weight in decision‑making spaces, and “Disrupting Fields,” which looks at how authority, legitimacy, and participation take shape as new fields emerge.Part of the ImpactAlpha Podcast Network https://impactalpha.com/podcasts