To foster a more inclusive environment for women in AI, Hummon calls for systemic changes in recruitment, mentoring, and recognition within the industry.

Hummon advises women entering the AI space to leverage their unique perspectives as strengths and to seek out employers who are genuinely committed to diversity.

Since taking on the role of CTO at Utilidata in 2018, Hummon has noted a concerning decline in the number of women pursuing engineering careers compared to her experiences in graduate school.

She advocates for the development of ethical AI practices, recommending that data remain local and that distributed computing be utilized to reduce security risks.

She underscores the importance of leadership in creating opportunities for women in technology and encourages men to actively support the advancement of women in the field.

Hummon began her career at the National Renewable Energy Lab, where she has been advocating for a transition from carbon-intensive energy sources to cleaner alternatives through the use of numerical methods and machine learning since 2010.

Hummon emphasizes that AI should be viewed as an expert assistant rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, highlighting the necessity of understanding its limitations and inherent biases.

In a recent interview with TechCrunch's Women in AI series, Marissa Hummon, the CTO of Utilidata, discussed her initiatives aimed at enhancing the sustainability of the electric grid.

She believes that AI has the potential to significantly improve the utility sector's effectiveness, leading to a cleaner and more reliable grid for both communities and businesses.

Hummon also stresses that investors should carefully evaluate how companies plan to implement AI, as responsible AI practices can differ significantly across industries and should be tailored to specific risks and complexities.