Francine Bennett leverages data science to promote responsible AI practices

To shine a long-overdue spotlight on women academics and others driving the AI revolution, TechCrunch is embarking on a series of interviews showcasing their remarkable contributions. Throughout the year, we will publish several pieces to highlight the pivotal work often overlooked in this field.

Francine Bennett, a founding member of the board at the Ada Lovelace Institute, currently serves as the organization’s interim director. Her journey includes significant contributions in biotech, where she leveraged AI to identify medical treatments for rare diseases. Additionally, Bennett co-founded a data science consultancy and played a pivotal role as a founding trustee of DataKind UK, a platform offering data science support to British charities.

Briefly, how did you get your start in AI? What attracted you to the field?

I began my journey in pure mathematics, initially uninterested in anything applied. While I enjoyed experimenting with computers, I viewed applied mathematics as mere calculations lacking intellectual stimulation. However, my perspective shifted later on as it became evident, both to me and to others, that the abundance of data in various contexts presented exciting opportunities. This realization prompted me to delve into AI and machine learning, recognizing their potential to revolutionize problem-solving in novel and intriguing ways beyond what I had initially perceived.