I attended the AI Expo Africa 2025 at Sandton Convention Centre, and i had the privilege of meeting remarkable women who are driving change in South Africa’s artificial intelligence landscape. Their passion, commitment, and vision left such an impression that I knew immediately I wanted to share their story with the Posh Empire community.
At the Women in AI booth, I spoke with Ms Mariah Tshibatakala, the Johannesburg community engagement lead, Ms Amanda Ndlovu , one of their dedicated volunteers, Ms Rorisang Moeketsi, their events lead and the Johannesburg Planning and Coordination Lead, Ms Andiswa Mkhonto
The WAI Southern Africa is headed up by Dr.Natalie Raphil, founder of Robots Can Think, and the Johannebsurg Lead being Ms Rudo Malungisa while the Southern Africa Ambassador for WAI is Ms Naledi Tlhakudi. What struck me most was not just their enthusiasm, but the profound mission behind their work—a mission that resonates deeply with our own values at Posh Empire of recognizing untapped potential and investing in transformative opportunities.
The Women in AI Movement
Women in AI (WAI) is a nonprofit organization with an ambitious and necessary goal: to empower, support, and elevate women in the field of artificial intelligence. But they’re not just talking about change—they’re actively creating it through a comprehensive approach that includes events, workshops, and talks designed to equip their members with the skills required to succeed in AI and tech.
Headquartered in France, WAI has grown into a truly global movement with multiple chapters across the world. From Paris to Johannesburg, from Silicon Valley to emerging tech hubs across North America, Latin America, EMEA, and APAC regions, Women in AI is building a community that transcends borders and brings together women experts, influencers, and aspiring professionals in the AI field.
As they state on their website www.womeninai.co: “Women in AI is a global organisation where women from diverse backgrounds can find opportunities, share insights, and lead communities.”
More Than a Network—A Do-Tank for Inclusive AI
What sets Women in AI apart is their identity as a “do-tank” rather than just a think tank. This community-driven initiative is working towards gender-inclusive AI that benefits global society. Their approach is practical, actionable, and results-oriented.
The organization believes in “the power of our community, based on mutual support, caring, and sharing to bring awareness, inspire and educate next generations.” They’re actively changing the role of women and minorities in AI through concrete programs and initiatives.
Their ultimate mission is twofold: to help close the gender gap in artificial intelligence and to ensure that their community members are future-proof in an increasingly AI-driven world. In an industry where women remain significantly underrepresented, this mission couldn’t be more critical.
Why This Matters Now
The artificial intelligence revolution is reshaping every industry, from finance and healthcare to real estate and digital commerce. At Posh Empire, we’ve witnessed firsthand how technology is transforming the digital asset landscape. Yet, as AI becomes more integral to our economic and social infrastructure, the lack of diverse voices—particularly women’s voices—in its development poses real risks.
When AI systems are built predominantly by one demographic, they inevitably reflect the biases, perspectives, and blind spots of that group. Women in AI recognizes that inclusive AI isn’t just about fairness; it’s about building better, more effective, and more beneficial technology for everyone.
Their work is particularly timely. According to their research report “WAI at Work,” companies are increasingly seeking guidance on how to attract and retain women working in AI. The organization provides evidence-based insights directly from women in the field about how companies can create more diverse work cultures.
The South African Chapter: Local Impact, Global Vision
The Johannesburg chapter of Women in AI is part of this global network, bringing world-class resources and community to South Africa’s burgeoning tech scene. Under the leadership of Mariah Tshibatakala as community engagement lead, supported by passionate volunteers like Amanda, Joy and coordinated by events lead Rorisang, the chapter is creating opportunities for South African women to not just participate in the AI revolution, but to lead it.
Their presence at AI Expo Africa 2025 is a testament to their commitment to visibility and accessibility. By meeting potential members where they are—at industry events, conferences, and community gatherings—they’re breaking down barriers to entry and making the AI space more welcoming.
The South African chapter is part of WAI’s EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region, connecting local members to a continental and global network of women in AI.
Comprehensive Educational Programs
One of the most compelling aspects of Women in AI’s approach is their extensive educational ecosystem. They offer multiple programs designed to build skills, foster innovation, and create pathways for women at all stages of their AI journey:
WAI2GO: Educational programs specifically designed for girls and women entering the AI field.
WaiLEARN: Structured learning opportunities that provide foundational and advanced AI knowledge.
WaiDATATHON: Competitive data science events that allow members to apply their skills to real-world challenges, with regional editions including APAC and beyond.
Kaggle Challenges: Partnerships with leading data science platforms to provide hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and datasets.
WAILabs: Research-focused initiatives that connect AI researchers from the community and support cutting-edge research projects.
WAI Hackathons: Intensive collaborative events held across multiple regions (USA, Canada, APAC) where participants build AI solutions to pressing problems.
WAI Mentorship Programs: Structured mentorship opportunities, including regional programs like the Canada mentorship initiative, connecting experienced professionals with emerging talent.
Through these workshops and educational programs, members gain:
- Technical AI and machine learning skills that are in high demand across industries
- Hands-on experience through datathons, hackathons, and research projects
- Leadership and professional development training to help women advance into decision-making roles
- Networking opportunities with other women in AI, creating a support system and potential collaboration pipeline
- Industry insights through talks and events featuring leading voices in artificial intelligence
- Community support that helps members navigate challenges and celebrate successes
- Research connections through WAILabs and academic partnerships
This comprehensive approach ensures that members aren’t just learning about AI—they’re becoming equipped to shape its future.
Recognition and Impact: The WAI Awards
Women in AI doesn’t just develop talent—they celebrate it. The organization runs the prestigious WAI Awards program, recognizing outstanding contributions by women in artificial intelligence across multiple regions including APAC (Asia-Pacific).
These awards shine a spotlight on women who are making significant impacts in AI research, development, implementation, and leadership. By celebrating excellence, WAI creates role models and demonstrates the breadth of opportunities available to women in the field.
The awards program includes comprehensive support structures with advisory boards, judging panels, media coverage, editorial content, and even podcast series featuring nominees and winners. This multi-faceted approach ensures that recognized individuals gain visibility and platform to inspire the next generation.
Global Ethics and Culture Initiative
Beyond skills and recognition, Women in AI is deeply committed to ensuring that artificial intelligence is developed ethically and inclusively. Their Global AI Ethics & Culture initiative addresses the critical intersection of technology, society, and values.
This work is particularly important as AI systems increasingly influence decisions in hiring, lending, criminal justice, healthcare, and other domains where bias can have profound consequences. By centering women’s perspectives—particularly women from diverse backgrounds—in ethical AI discussions, WAI helps ensure that AI development considers a broader range of impacts and implications.
The organization is a proud member of several European Union-supported projects:
- AEQUITAS: Part of the Fairness Cluster Human 01 24, associated with the AIoD Platform
- DIVERSIFAIR: Supported through the EU’s Erasmus+ programme
- AI4EU: Part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
These partnerships demonstrate WAI’s commitment to rigorous, research-backed approaches to fairness and inclusion in AI.
Strategic Partnerships with Industry Leaders
Women in AI has secured partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology companies and organizations, including IBM, Microsoft, AWS, Deutsche Telekom, Capgemini, Orange, and Oracle for Startups. These partnerships provide members with:
- Access to cutting-edge tools and platforms
- Opportunities for internships and employment
- Sponsorship for events and educational programs
- Industry insights and emerging technology exposure
- Real-world project opportunities
This corporate engagement ensures that WAI’s educational programs remain relevant to industry needs while giving members direct pathways into leading organizations.
A Personal Reflection
As someone who operates at the intersection of digital assets and technology through Posh Empire, I’ve always believed in identifying value before others recognize it. The work that Women in AI is doing represents exactly that kind of opportunity—not just for the women they serve, but for the entire tech ecosystem.
Meeting these amazing ladies at the AI Expo reminded me that the most valuable investments aren’t always in assets or businesses; sometimes they’re in people and movements that have the potential to reshape entire industries. The energy, intelligence, and determination I witnessed at their booth convinced me that Women in AI is one of those movements.
Their approach mirrors what we do at Posh Empire—identifying potential, providing the resources and support to realize that potential, and creating pathways to success. Just as we see value in digital assets that others might overlook, Women in AI sees the immense untapped potential in women who, with the right support and opportunities, can become leaders in artificial intelligence.
How You Can Get Involved
Whether you’re a woman working in AI, aspiring to enter the field, or simply someone who believes in the importance of diverse voices in technology, Women in AI welcomes you. Visit their website at www.womeninai.co to explore opportunities including:
- Membership opportunities to join a global community of women in AI
- Local chapter involvement through the Johannesburg team led by Mariah Tshibatakala
- Volunteer positions for those who want to actively contribute to the mission, like Amanda and Joy.
- Event attendance coordinated by leaders like Rorisang to learn, network, and stay current with AI developments
- Educational programs from WAI2GO to WaiLEARN to hackathons and datathons
- Research collaboration through WAILabs
- Partnership opportunities for organizations that want to support gender inclusion in tech
For those in Johannesburg and across South Africa, connecting with the local chapter is an opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself—a global movement working to ensure that the future of AI reflects the diversity of the world it serves.
You can also subscribe to their newsletter to “BE inspired. STAY W(A)IRED” with the latest updates, opportunities, and insights from the global Women in AI community.
The Investment Case for Diversity
From a business perspective, the case for diversity in AI is compelling. Research consistently shows that diverse teams produce more innovative solutions, identify problems that homogeneous teams miss, and create products that serve broader markets more effectively.
For companies building AI products, engaging with organizations like Women in AI isn’t just socially responsible—it’s strategically smart. The women being trained and connected through this network represent a talent pool that forward-thinking companies should be eager to tap into. WAI’s corporate partners—from IBM to Microsoft to AWS—understand this, which is why they’ve invested in supporting the organization’s mission.
For women entering or advancing in the AI field, the support, skills, and network provided by Women in AI can be career-defining. In an industry where representation matters, being part of a global community provides both practical advantages and the confidence that comes from knowing you’re not alone.
Looking Forward
As AI continues to evolve and integrate into every aspect of our lives, the work of organizations like Women in AI becomes increasingly vital. The future they’re building—one where women are not just present but prominent in AI development, deployment, and governance—is a future that will benefit all of us.
My conversation with these ladies was brief, but its impact will be lasting. They reminded me that behind every technological revolution are people working tirelessly to ensure that revolution is inclusive, equitable, and beneficial.
At Posh Empire, we’re committed to identifying and highlighting opportunities that create value—not just financial value, but social and human value as well. Women in AI represents exactly that kind of opportunity, and I’m honored to use our platform to amplify their important work.
Join the Movement
The future of AI is being written now. Thanks to organizations like Women in AI, that future will be written by diverse voices, shaped by inclusive perspectives, and designed to benefit everyone.
To learn more about Women in AI, visit www.womeninai.co. Connect with the Johannesburg chapter through Rudo Malungisa, Naledi Tlhakudi and their team. Whether you’re looking to develop your AI skills, contribute as a volunteer, support through partnership, or simply stay informed about the intersection of gender and technology, there’s a place for you in this global community.
Follow them on social media:
- LinkedIn: Women in AI
- Twitter: @women_in_ai
- Facebook: Women in AI
The AI revolution is here. Let’s ensure it’s a revolution that includes everyone.
Portia is the founder of Posh Empire Investments, a digital real estate investment and technology brokerage firm based in Johannesburg with expanding international operations. She is passionate about identifying transformative opportunities at the intersection of technology, business, and social impact.
