The head of Data and AI at Belfast-based IT firm Kainos has been named the top ambassador in Ireland for women in tech by Microsoft.
Ruth McGuinness is the recipient of the Microsoft Power Women Award 2024 in Ireland. The Microsoft Power Women Awards highlight the talented women spearheading greater diversity and inclusion in tech in an effort to inspire, promote and invest in a new generation of female tech talent.
Now in its second year, the programme expanded its reach covering Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with nearly 400 applications from exceptional women who have made significant contributions to technology, and diversity and inclusion. Ruth was among only 19 women who were selected from that incredible number of talented professionals from across the entire EMEA region.
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A prominent leader in the field of AI, Ruth oversees Kainos’ Data and AI practice which has over 150 people and is one of the largest in Ireland. Her team generates millions of pounds annually through the delivery of AI technology programmes in both public and private sector organisations across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and North America. Ruth's focus includes developing AI tooling that is robust, explainable, and trustworthy, and advocating for ethical AI adoption.
Passionate about bridging the gap between academic research and industry, Ruth is the primary industry partner of the AI Research Centre (AIRC) at Ulster University, supporting over 100 AI researchers in trusted AI applications. She also supports the development of more diverse AI talent as a curator of AI CON, Ireland’s largest annual AI conference, and is a strong advocate for the robust regulation of AI across public forums both local and international.
Accepting the award, Ruth McGuinness expressed her gratitude to Microsoft Ireland for the honour.
“I’m very grateful to Microsoft Ireland for honouring me with this prestigious award. It is humbling to be included among such an incredible and inspiring cohort of powerhouse women in the Microsoft ecosystem across Western Europe,” she said.
“I also welcome the opportunity of accepting an award for my career during a period of extended maternity leave with my second child – it’s great to see how much progress has been made in terms of gender equity despite how much more we need to achieve!
“Women face a multitude of barriers when trying to have children and a career. While we know that only 26 per cent of technology roles are held by women, further data shows that women often then depart those technology careers at this important stage in their lives due to inadequate parental leave benefits, expensive childcare systems, and a lack of access to good quality flexible working.
“The IT industry needs to continue to do more to not only attract but also to retain young women through ensuring job roles come with an inclusive culture, flexible working hours, flexible roles, equity, and fairness.
“I feel passionately about the mantra that ‘you can't be what you can’t see’ and believe that elevating diverse role models for women – such as through Microsoft’s Power Women Award – plays an incredibly important role in empowering others coming into the industry.”
Ruth McGuinness will join the other 18 winners at the Microsoft Women’s Leadership Programme 2nd Edition, a customised programme developed by Professor Jennifer Petriglieri at the INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau, France.
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