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Didem Ün Ateş is an exceptional leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation, with a career spanning over 26 years across global technology firms and management consulting. Her unique blend of expertise, vision, and advocacy for responsible AI has made her a transformative figure in the AI sector. In her role as Vice President of AI Strategy & Innovation at Schneider Electric, Didem shaped the company’s AI and Generative AI strategies, fostering advancements that align with sustainable and responsible AI practices. She also managed strategic collaborations with key players across tech startups, venture capital, and academia, positioning Schneider Electric as a leader in ethical and innovative AI adoption.
Before joining Schneider Electric, Didem held leadership positions at Microsoft, where she played a pivotal role in driving AI and data strategy within the Chief Data Office. Her responsibilities included spearheading large-scale AI and data initiatives, including strategic partnerships and high-profile collaborations with OpenAI. Additionally, she developed and launched impactful programs like the “Alice Envisions the Future” and “Girls in AI” hackathons, which promoted diversity in technology and evolved into broader initiatives across Fortune 500 companies, further emphasising her commitment to inclusion in AI.
Beyond her corporate roles, Didem’s influence extends to prestigious advisory and board positions. She serves on the AI and Generative AI Council, is a Senior Operating Advisor for Goldman Sachs Value Accelerator, and is a board member of the tinyML Foundation, which seeks to advance machine learning at the edge. Her expertise has been recognised with numerous honours, including the Tech Women 100 Champion and the Trailblazer 50 awards, highlighting her contributions to both the AI industry and gender diversity in tech.
Currently, as CEO of LotusAI Ltd, Didem advises private equity firms on AI strategies, helping businesses harness AI’s potential for growth and innovation. Her hands-on approach, coupled with her strategic vision, ensures that AI deployments are not only cutting-edge but also align with ethical and sustainable standards. Didem Ün Ateş’s deep technical insights, paired with her ability to inspire and educate, make her a top-tier choice as a keynote speaker. Her talks bridge complex AI concepts with practical applications, engaging diverse audiences from tech enthusiasts to industry leaders, as substantiated by an official client rating of 9.7/10 as an AI keynote speaker. By choosing Didem as a keynote speaker, event organisers can promise their audiences a rare blend of technical depth, strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to responsible AI.
In January 2024 we sat down virtually with Didem Un Ates and discussed future technologies and how companies can introduce AI into everyday practices. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Didem Un Ates here.
Didem Un Ates is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“The event went very well thanks. Didem was a tremendously engaging speaker, incredibly knowledgeable and credible in her areas of expertise and has a great way to simplify and give context to very complex topics. She shared some great examples of her work which resonated well with the audience, and took time to answer questions at the end. It was an excellent experience for our guests. She was everything we hoped for as a first-class speaker.”
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