In the lead up to the 2022 Women in AI Awards ceremony in Melbourne, we recognise the 14 Victorian finalists from across research, industry and community for their trailblazing work.

The second annual Women in AI awards for Australia and New Zealand will take place in Melbourne later this month and are prestigious in their recognition and vital in building the credibility and exposure for outstanding women in AI in Australia and New Zealand.  Committed to supporting and rewarding trailblazing women who are carving a path for others to follow, the awards will be judged in terms of the applicant’s innovation, global potential and impact, and the ability for their solution to do good for the community.

Formed in Paris in October 2016, Women in AI (WAI) is a global network of female experts and professionals working in AI, aiming to make the sector more gender-inclusive and to educate the next generation of female entrepreneurs. By educating the next generation of female leaders in the field, their mission is to create a ‘community working towards shaping inclusive AI for our common future’ and environment where women own the stage and present inspiring ideas.

Congratulations to the Victorian finalists

The WAI Awards finalists this year consist of 14 Victorian women across 11 categories. Judging criteria is based on innovation, leadership, and inspiring potential. The criteria also consider the global potential and impact, as well as the ability of the AI solution to benefit communities and citizens. We wish them all the best in their finals. The Victorian finalists include:

AI in Climate

• Olivia Sackett, Space Technology and AI, EY

AI in Creative Industries

• Nina Rajcic, PHD Candidate at SensiLab, Monash University         

AI in Cyber Security

• Kristen Moore, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO          

AI in Defence and Intelligence

• Flora Salim, Professor and Cisco Chair in Digital Transport, School of Computer Science and Engineering, UNSW; Honorary Professor, School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University.

AI in Finance

• Ying Yang, Assistant Commissioner of Data Science, Australian Taxation Office    

AI in Health 

• Helen Frazer, Radiologist, Breast Cancer Screening Clinician, AI Researcher, Epidemiologist, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
• Dr Sonika Tyagi, PhD, Machine Learning Fellow, Alfred Health

AI in Infrastructure

• Rose Skandari, Ph.D. , Data Science ManagerData Science Manager, bp

AI in Innovation

• Karin Verspoor FAIDH, Executive Dean, School of Computing Technologies at RMIT University          

AI in Law

• Jeannie Marie Paterson, Professor of Law, Co-Director of the Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, The University of Melbourne
• Dr Kobi Leins, Senior Consultant, Data Ethics, NAB        

AI in Mining

• Angela Rodrigues, Ph.D. Candidate, Monash University             

AI in Sport

• Elisa Koch, Head of Data and Analytics, Australian Football League
• Rochelle Eime, Director of PASI: Physical Activity & Sport Insights, pasiglobal.com        

In addition to individual award categories, all category winners will be entered into the Grand Award competition, and the winner will be named the 'Australia - New Zealand WAI Innovator of the Year'.

Finalists and winners in all categories will receive endorsements, prestige, recognition, collaboration opportunities, and extensive media exposure.

The Grand Award Winner and both runners-up will also benefit from a cash prize, and one-on-one meetings with industry, academic and government leaders, and venture capitalists.

A spectacular invite-only WAI Awards Gala Dinner will be held in Melbourne at the National Gallery of Victoria on March 31st to announce the winners and recognise the finalists, and to honour and celebrate Australian and New Zealand women in AI.

The Victorian Government is proud to support the 2022 Women in AI Awards as a Principal Partner and will present ​first runner up Australia-New Zealand WAI Innovator of the Year.

Find out more about Women in AI here >>