Strengthening Diversity in AI Research: Women in BilAI connect locally and nationally

14.07.2026

Today, women make up around 25% of BilAI’s key researchers, exceeding the average of female researchers in AI worldwide. This commitment to strengthening diversity and visibility in AI research was recently reflected through BilAI’s participation in She goes AI – Connect in Vienna and the Women in AI Meetup #12 – Styria Edition in Graz.

Supporting the next generation of AI researchers and fostering a more diverse AI research community are central objectives of the Bilateral AI Cluster of Excellence. By nurturing emerging talent, increasing the visibility of female AI researchers, and strengthening professional networks, BilAI actively contributes to a more inclusive and innovative AI ecosystem.

This commitment was recently reflected in two events where BilAI researchers engaged with the AI community at both national and regional levels: the launch of the She goes AI – Connect initiative in Vienna and the Women in AI Meetup #12 – Styria Edition in Graz.

BilAI at the Launch of “She goes AI – Connect” in Vienna

Researchers from the BilAI Cluster were among the participants at the launch of the She goes AI – Connect initiative at the Hofburg in Vienna. BilAI was represented by Key Researchers Marta Sabou and Elisabeth Lex, together with Agata Ciabattoni and Martina Seidl from the BilAI Board of Directors.
The event highlighted the urgent need for greater gender diversity in artificial intelligence. Although AI is one of the most influential technologies shaping the future, women currently account for only 22.6% of AI professionals in Austria. Through initiatives focused on AI skills development, visible female role models, and stronger cross-sector networks, She goes AI – Connect aims to encourage more women to pursue careers in AI research, innovation, and industry.
Beyond the official programme, the event provided valuable opportunities for exchange and networking. BilAI researchers connected with colleagues from academia, industry, and the public sector, while also having the opportunity to briefly meet Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. These conversations further strengthened national networks and reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts to build a more diverse AI landscape.

Women in AI Styria: Showcasing Research Excellence in Graz

At the regional level, BilAI co-hosted the Women in AI Meetup #12 – Styria Edition: AI in Science – Unlocking New Frontiers! at Graz University of Technology.

The event featured presentations by BilAI Key Researchers Elisabeth Lex and Bettina Könighofer, who shared insights into their teams’ innovative research at the frontiers of artificial intelligence.

Their work combines symbolic, logic-based AI with sub-symbolic, data-driven approaches to advance:

• user-centric recommender systems that better respond to people’s needs and preferences
• trustworthy autonomous intelligence for complex real-world applications, including autonomous mobility

The meetup sparked lively discussions on technological opportunities, ethical implications, and legal responsibilities in AI development. Researchers, students, and practitioners engaged in an open exchange of ideas, creating a collaborative atmosphere that highlighted the value of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of AI.