Women in AI: the experiences of Mirca and Michela
According to the recent study Labor market impacts of AI: A new measure and early evidence by Anthropic, workers in professions most exposed to artificial intelligence are significantly more likely to be women. In particular, in roles with the highest exposure to systems based on Large Language Models, the proportion of women exceeds that of less exposed groups by 16 percentage points. This figure shifts the perspective: technology training is no longer just an opportunity for growth, but a strategic lever for women’s economic and professional resilience. It is against this backdrop that the project Women’s Intelligence in AI, promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and funded by the Center for Public Impact as part of the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund, comes into play. The aim is to strengthen the skills and confidence of 400 female entrepreneurs and professionals, helping to reduce a gender gap that still sees Italy ranked 87th in the Global Gender Gap Index.
The stories of Mirca Bottazzo, owner of a historic tobacconist’s in the heart of Venice, and Michela Grassetto, partner in a graphic design and communications firm, offer a concrete insight into what engaging with artificial intelligence means today: from curiosity and daily challenges to new possibilities for application.
What prompted you to take part in this course?
Michela: “I discovered the opportunity through the Chamber of Commerce newsletter. Although I was initially somewhat wary and tended not to delve into the subject of AI, I set myself the goal of taking a training course because I was aware of its potential usefulness in my work. In particular, I wanted to understand how to use artificial intelligence for analysing business data and to improve the management of administrative processes”.
Mirca: “I found out about the course through Confcommercio. I had no prior knowledge of artificial intelligence, but I wanted to learn more and gain a better understanding of this field. As I approach 60, I feel it is essential to ‘stay on the ball’ and not miss out on anything the world of work has to offer today.”
What was your first experience with the technologies covered?
Michela: “We followed the online course via the Coursera platform with the ‘Google AI Essentials’ programme. It was very useful for gaining a specific, rather than just a general, overview of the various tools available and their exact uses.”
Mirca: “Taking the online lessons was a great opportunity, as it allowed me to balance my training with running my shop. It was also very interesting to interact with the tutors and hear the ideas of other female entrepreneurs.”
What is the most important lesson you’ve taken away?
Michela: “A key aspect was learning to pay greater attention to data sensitivity: I now know that certain business information shouldn’t be shared with platforms. I’ve also discovered tools like NotebookLM, which allows me to carry out specific searches on topics I enter myself, going beyond the limits of a generic search.” Mirca: “I’ve started to understand how to ‘provide input’, that is, how to formulate messages so that the AI responds accurately and plausibly, reducing errors. Although in my personal life I’ve seen that you can organise anything, even a dinner with friends, at work I’m still looking for the right approach to apply it to my specific business.”
Are there any aspects you’d like to explore further in the future?
Michela: “I’ve been working in administration for ten years and would have liked a stronger focus on analysing figures, whereas the course was perhaps more geared towards communication. A sector-specific in-depth analysis would be a huge added value.”
Mirca: “I agree on the need for courses tailored to specific business types. As I run a tobacconist’s, I sometimes struggle to see the practical application compared to those in tourism or services, but in the meantime I’ve broken the ice and understood what it’s all about. As they say, you’re never too old to get involved.”
Mirca and Michela’s stories demonstrate that artificial intelligence is not a field reserved for experts, but a concrete lever for inclusion and economic resilience. Through modules on prompting, productivity and responsible use, the project continues to strengthen strategic skills and promote more equitable participation in the digital transformation.
