AfroTech 2025: Afro-descendant Women — Key Players in Artificial Intelligence in Canada
On June 18, 2025, UM6P Global Hubs Canada took part in the panel “Women’s Entrepreneurship in AI: Opportunities and Challenges”, organized as part of the AfroTech event at the Computer Research Institute of Montreal (CRIM). Moderated by Fatiha Charradi, General Director of UM6P Global Hubs Canada, the session highlighted Afro-descendant women in leadership roles across tech companies, consulting firms, and public organizations — all deeply involved in Canada’s digital transformation.
At a time when artificial intelligence represents a strategic priority for the country’s technological sovereignty, the contributions of these entrepreneurs, executives, and AI experts stand out as a driving force within Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Their insights reflected a dual commitment: building cutting-edge technological solutions while embedding values of inclusion, ethics, and social relevance.
The discussions explored key enablers for the growth of women’s entrepreneurship in AI — including access to support networks, targeted funding, recognition of skills, and the ability to innovate in contexts often marked by significant operational constraints. Panelists shared concrete experiences in implementing responsible AI tools, creating high-impact startups, and developing practical solutions in education, data management, and healthcare.
As a platform connecting Canada, Africa, and international scientific ecosystems, UM6P Global Hubs Canada actively supports this type of initiative: fostering inspiring career paths, strengthening links between Afro-descendant talent and North American innovation hubs, and promoting a cross-cutting approach to AI centered on impact.
Through its participation in AfroTech, UM6P Global Hubs Canada reaffirms its commitment to supporting inclusive technological initiatives and highlighting African and Afro-descendant women’s expertise — who are playing an increasingly significant role in shaping a competitive, socially grounded, and globally connected AI landscape.
