{"id":18110,"date":"2019-03-08T13:27:11","date_gmt":"2019-03-08T13:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hnews.hult.edu\/?p=18110"},"modified":"2026-05-05T16:50:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:50:15","slug":"microsofts-sophia-velastegui-more-diversity-needed-in-the-ai-revolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hult.edu\/blog\/microsofts-sophia-velastegui-more-diversity-needed-in-the-ai-revolution\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft\u2019s Sophia Velastegui : More diversity needed in the AI Revolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sophia Velastegui<\/strong> <\/a>is the ultimate problem solver. As Microsoft\u2019s General Manager in AI Products & Bing Search<\/strong>, she boils her job down to a simple concept: \u201cWhat are the needs a person is trying to address and how can I help solve them every day?\u201d<\/p>\n

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From chatbots to supply chains, AI most likely touches your life in some way<\/strong>. According to Microsoft, 75% of apps will be infused with AI by the end of 2019. Velastegui is leading several projects in which AI can sharpen results and streamline systems. One project involves compiling stock data into Excel and translating that information into investment decisions \u2013something both Wall Street firms and retail investors can use.<\/p>\n

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75% of apps will be infused with AI by the end of 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cAll of the major attributes about the stock can be autopopulated. AI looks at the grouping of information you have placed or some triggers associated with it. What are the things that are similar? Am I looking at a stock in the NASDAQ or a different exchange?,\u201d says Velastegui. \u201c I personally use it for my stock portfolio planning and have a better understanding of the other factors I should take into account.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Another project is a strategic partnership between Microsoft and Wal-Mart incorporating geographic data and census data for real estate planning. Artificial intelligence can help determine whether Wal-Mart should build a megastore or a smaller store in a certain city.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt understands the difference between parent-to-child relationships. It understands if I have a list of different things \u2013 like geographical references\u2014that I don\u2019t need to define it as a city. It knows the difference between Paris, France and Paris, Texas,\u201d says Velastegui. \u201c It\u2019s also drawing from information we have vetted because we understand this is something that can be used for real estate planning, population control or medical applications.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Journey into STEM<\/h2>\n

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Velastegui was born in South Korea and raised in New York City. As a fourth grader, she fell in love with science<\/strong> thanks to watching many episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation<\/em>. Fascinated by concepts like the transporter, she would ride her bike to the library and research all the technical terms on the tv show.<\/p>\n

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Her curiosity set her on the path in STEM as she tackled AP physics and math courses in high school. Velastegui then earned Mechanical Engineering degrees at Georgia Tech and UC Berkeley. In her master\u2019s program, she was the only female in a lab of 18<\/strong> graduate students.<\/p>\n

Underrepresented individuals must get involved and every one of us can do something about it. It is critical that women get involved.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cWhat I have found is there are some people \u2013 men and women \u2013 that really love STEM and we just nerd out,\u201d says Velastegui. While she found comfort with like-minded people, she is trying to close the gender gap today by encouraging young women to consider emerging technology either as a career or side interest.<\/p>\n

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\u201cUnderrepresented individuals must get involved and every one of us can do something about it. It is critical that women get involved.<\/strong> We are 50% of the population,\u201d says Velastegui. \u201cAI is still in its infancy and it\u2019s being incorporated in applications in real life. We\u2019re seeing increased roles so it\u2019s important you learn about it whether you\u2019re in STEM or not. AI can benefit and help augment some of the human capabilities that we have.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Dive in and explore<\/h2>\n

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Velastegui encourages everyone to learn about artificial intelligence because it will be woven into everyday life. A recent McKinsey report<\/a> found 47% of executives embed AI in their business processes<\/strong> while another 30% is testing AI in pilot projects.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re fascinated by artificial intelligence, Sophia Velastegui will happily discuss the range of practical applications with you. If you\u2019re tentative about AI, she invites you to speak up.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re in STEM or no<\/strong>t, start working on projects within AI and learn how it applies to your area. Different voices are very important. It\u2019s still early days and this is a great opportunity for all of us to get involved as AI becomes applied in everyday life. \u201c<\/p>\n

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She suggests these podcasts to learn more about AI:<\/p>\n