“Herausforderungen sind eine große Chance zu lernen und zu wachsen”

„Women in AI & Robotics“ ist ein globales Netzwerk von Expertinnen und Fachleuten im Bereich Künstliche Intelligenz und Robotik. Beim SICK Solution Hackathon bringen fünf junge Frauen aus diesem Verband ihre Fähigkeiten und ihr Fachwissen ein, um mit modernster Hard- und Software Herausforderungen im täglichen Leben und in der Industrie zu lösen. Sie sind Teil der mehr als 100 Teilnehmer aus 16 Ländern, die nur 48 Stunden Zeit haben, um innovative IoT-Lösungen zu entwickeln. Wir haben mit Nathanya Queby Satriani (21) und Mouna Albaccouch (30) über ihre Motivation, ihre Erfahrungen im IT-Bereich und ihre Rolle bei "Women in AI & Robotics" gesprochen.

Was sind eure Erwartungen an den SICK Solution Hackathon - für euch persönlich, aber auch für euer Team?

Queby: In meinem Studium liegt der Schwerpunkt eher auf der Theorie und dem Programmieren eines Systems. Vom Hackathon erhoffe ich mir mehr praktische Erfahrung durch die Arbeit mit echter Hardware. Ich freue mich auch sehr darauf, die Mitglieder des "Women in AI & Robotics"-Teams endlich persönlich kennenzulernen. Da ich derzeit in Österreich lebe und die meisten Teammitglieder woanders wohnen, habe ich sie noch nie persönlich getroffen. Alle kommen aus verschiedenen Ländern mit unterschiedlichem Hintergrund. Als Team freuen wir uns darauf, etwas Neues zu lernen und Probleme gemeinsam anzugehen.

Mouna: Für mich ist der SICK Solution Hackathon eine großartige Gelegenheit zum Netzwerken. Es gibt viele Leute aus der ganzen Welt, aber auch großartige Unternehmen, die während der Veranstaltung Unterstützung anbieten. Das ist eine hervorragende Gelegenheit die auf dem Markt verfügbaren Technologien kennenzulernen und zu nutzen. Ich möchte die großartigen Menschen des "Women in AI & Robotics"-Teams besser kennenlernen. Wir werden unser Bestes tun, um mit unseren Lösungen einen Beitrag für die Gesellschaft zu leisten.

SICK Solution Hackathon is a lot about facing new challenges and solving problems. How do you usually cope with these challenges?

Queby: My personal strategy is to not focus on creating one big solution for all the problems at once, but rather start with smaller solutions by dividing the big task into smaller ones. This is also called the “divide and conquer” strategy. In the end, the solutions for the tiny pieces can be put together to form one big solution.

Mouna: I like challenges, this is the way how we learn and grow. During my professional experience I faced lots of challenges, from the technical ones to the social ones. I always saw them as an opportunity and not a problem. This helps on avoiding stress and concentrate on the solution.

What are the most fascinating aspects for you in this field of IT technology and why did you choose this path for you?

Queby: I find it fascinating that we can learn more about society, because IT and technology act like a mirror that is reflecting social problems. This way, we can also find out what we are missing, and we get a glimpse of what the future could look like. Actually, when I was younger, I was more interested in the fields of philosophy and psychology. But then I realized I needed a more scientific basis, and that brought me to neuroscience in artificial intelligence

Mouna: I am convinced that computer science engineering is best suited for me. Engineers are always those who solve problems and add values to the society. This is where technology can make an impact.

Why did you join the group “Women in AI & Robotics”?

Queby: I joined an event called the “Artificially correct hackathon” that was created in collaboration with “Women in AI & Robotics”. This is how I got to know them and joined the organization. After a few months, I became one of the core team members. In this field, it was at first very difficult for me to meet other women of my age. By joining the group, I got to know many women that are experts in this field.

Mouna: First it is about being in a like-minded community. In fact, it is important to me to have social goals and principles and defend them. The community regroups great ladies from all over the world. They share their experience and provide help depending on their expertise. Second, I noticed that there are women in the world suffering from inequality in salaries even in equal positions and assigned tasks. So, I believe that having a community of women working on promoting the presence of women in technology, can help on reducing these kinds of problems.

Thank you so much for your time and the interview! We are looking forward seeing you at the SICK Solution Hackathon!

Women in AI & Robotics is a global non-profit association headquartered in Munich, Germany, dedicated to the advancement of women in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. The organization is an Action Coalition partner of UN Women committed to reducing the gender gap in AI & Robotics by increasing female representation and participation through mentorship, education, hackathons, and startup accelerator programs. envision a cross-national collaboration that allows women to network with scientists, researchers, industry leads and role models worldwide. Women in AI & Robotics is rapidly growing with 800+ members and chapters in Stuttgart, Berlin, Munich, Bremen, Toronto, Ottawa, and Waterloo.

Nathanya Queby Satriani is 21 years old and currently studying Artificial Intelligence at Johannes Kepler University located in Linz, Austria. Originally, Queby is from Jakarta, Indonesia. Her family moved to Austria a few years ago. Within “Women in AI & Robotics” she is part of a newly found Youth Group promoting Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to teenagers and young professionals – for example coordinating hackathons or offering technical workshops.

Mouna Albaccouch is 30 years old and got her computer engineer degree from the National School of Computer Science in Tunisia (ENSI) in 2015. After more than five years of experience as embedded software engineer and software development engineer, Mouna returned to the university in order to get her master’s degree in “Mobile and autonomous robotic systems” at Grenoble Institute of Technology - ENSE3.

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