E169 ‘Exploring AI Governance and the Role of Mentorship’ with Women in AI Governance’s Emerald De Leeuw

Today’s guest is Emerald de Leeuw, Co-Founder at Women in AI Governance. Emerald is a finalist in the 2024 AI Awards Women in AI Ambassador of the year category for her role in championing diversity and inclusion in AI, as well as her position as a leading expert in AI ethics and governance.

With an Irish-Dutch heritage, Emerald’s commitment to responsible AI stands out in her role as Global Head of AI Governance and Privacy at a large multinational in Ireland. Her journey has seen her champion AI ethics, privacy and governance while shaping initiatives like Women in AI Governance and contributing to the AI Leadership Council of the Future Privacy Forum.

Emerald’s career journey started in the Netherlands during her law studies, where her entrepreneurial spirit began to take shape. Even as she interned for the government, she was sketching out business ideas and finding inspiration in books like The 4-Hour Work Week, which sparked her passion for entrepreneurship. 

This ultimately led her to launch a startup focused on GDPR and data protection – her interest fueled by an understanding of GDPR’s emerging global significance. Despite challenges, she persevered, gaining recognition as the European Young Innovator of the Year and speaking at prominent conferences like DataSec in Dublin.

Today, Emerald approaches AI with a business mindset, emphasising that innovation can harmoniously coexist with ethical considerations. She views responsible AI as a force for good – technology that drives positive societal impact without causing inadvertent harm. Her belief in responsible innovation is rooted in a vision of AI that balances the power of new technology with ethics, driving forward product development that benefits society.

Her discussion on the podcast sheds light on the complexities of AI governance. She likens the influence of tech advancements to an “iceberg effect,” where long-term consequences emerge over time. She advises organisations to prioritise core values, aligning internal efforts with regulatory frameworks. By unifying diverse perspectives within teams, companies can promote a cohesive approach that transcends cultural differences, even if perfect alignment isn’t always achievable.

Mentorship holds a special place in Emerald’s journey, particularly for professionals transitioning from subject-matter experts to leadership roles. In the podcast, she explains the difference between “imposter phenomenon” and “imposter syndrome,” highlighting that the phenomenon often arises as high achievers recognise their own limitations. Emerald advocates for mentorship that evolves naturally and centers on energising focused discussions, allowing both mentor and mentee to benefit.

In discussing AI governance, Emerald draws parallels to the regulatory environment preceding GDPR. As she anticipates the impact of the EU’s AI Act, she notes that many companies will likely develop Responsible AI guidelines to meet both legal and ethical benchmarks. Initiatives like the European AI Pact encourage companies to voluntarily adopt principled AI practices. As regulation takes shape, organisations will likely move towards a proactive approach in managing responsible AI practices, underscoring their commitment to ethically aligned technology.

Through her leadership, Emerald exemplifies a model of values-driven guidance in the realm of AI governance. Her dedication to responsible AI highlights how values and ethics can direct technological innovation toward meaningful, positive change, thus benefiting society as a whole.