5 questions to Judith van Schie on women’s representation in AI- and data governance

10/03/2025 - At Considerati, we believe that excellence is built on expertise, innovation, and the strength of a diverse team. We spoke with our Managing Director, Judith van Schie, about gender disparities in AI development and governance.  

Can you share your perspective on the current representation of women in AI development and data governance?


Compared to other legal fields, women are significantly more represented in privacy and, to a lesser extent, in AI. While technical topics may still seem intimidating to some, that perception is unfounded. It is essential for women to be actively involved in both developing AI tools and shaping their responsible use. The AI Act promotes key principles such as fairness, transparency, and accountability, and now more than ever, women's voices are crucial to offer a counterbalance to the increasing pressure on human rights and freedoms.

What unique contributions do women bring to the fields of AI ethics and data privacy?

It would be an oversimplification to attribute certain qualities exclusively to women. However, many women have personally experienced bias, exclusion, and underrepresentation giving them a deeper awareness of the risks these pose when developing and deploying AI systems. In AI ethics, diverse perspectives are critical to ensuring fair and responsible decision-making. Female experts in our field demonstrate outstanding strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership. In privacy, women are already well represented, and we are seeing more and more of them in top positions. This diversity brings valuable perspectives and ultimately helps safeguard fundamental rights.

Can you discuss any initiatives Considerati has undertaken to promote gender diversity within our privacy & AI teams?

We are making a conscious effort in many areas. When organizing panels, roundtables, or larger events, we ensure balanced representation to reflect the diversity of our field. We also consider different preferences when planning team activities. Additionally, we focus on results rather than rigid working hours, ensuring that career growth is accessible to everyone, including parents.

How do these initiatives align with our overall mission and values?

Our mission is to help clients build a responsible future. Fostering a diverse, expert-driven team aligns directly with that goal. To ensure that AI becomes a force for gender equality, we need robust frameworks. It is exciting to help our clients set up these frameworks and seeing the positive impact this has on our world and hopefully also our future.

How can the industry as a whole work towards a more inclusive and equitable environment?

I believe we should remain vocal on these important topics, in a positive and can-do way. Also, in general, we can all be more mindful of the fact that almost everyone faces struggles or difficult times now and then. If we each put in a little more effort every day to be kinder to others and seeing the other person as a fellow human being who’s trying to make the best of their life in a very uncertain, fast-changing and sometimes unjust world, it would help shape our world for the better.