“Challenges are a great chance to learn and grow”

Women in AI & Robotics is a global network of experts and professionals in Artificial Intelligence & Robotics. At SICK Solution Hackathon, five young women from this association are bringing in their skills and expertise to solve challenges in daily life and the industry using state-of-the-art hardware and software. They are part of more than 100 participants from 16 countries who are given just 48 hours to develop innovative IoT solutions. We have talked to Nathanya Queby Satriani (21) and Mouna Albaccouch (30) about their motivation, their experience in IT and their role in the “Women in AI & Robotics” association.

What are your expectations regarding the SICK Solution Hackathon – for you, but also for your team?

Queby: In my studies, there is a greater focus on the theory and the coding part of a system. At the hackathon, I hope to gain some more hands-on experience by working with actual machines and hardware. I am also really looking forward to finally meet the members of the “Women in AI & Robotics” team in person. As I am currently located in Austria, and most of the team members are located elsewhere, I have never met them in person. My teammates come from many different backgrounds – not only country wise but also knowledge wise. As a team, we are looking forward to learning something new and solving the problems we face together.

Mouna: For me the SICK Solution Hackathon is a great opportunity for networking. There are lots of people from all over the world, but also great companies offering support during the event which is an excellent opportunity to get to know and use available technologies in the market. I want to know better the great minds from the “Women in AI & Robotics” team. We will do our best to add a new achievement to our community. 

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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