Female intelligence in AI: Valentina's story
Valentina Cocciolo studied Communication Sciences in Lecce. Now 30 years old, she is very optimistic and open-minded about artificial intelligence, which she believes ‘represents a new and concrete resource, capable of supporting the development of daily activities and opening up new possibilities’.
Valentina is an effective example of “digital resilience”: she lives in a town in the province of Taranto and started her career gradually, beginning with small experiences as a content creator for an association and online collaborations as a copywriter and ghostwriter. “Over time, thanks to a company in the Taranto area, I found an opportunity that allowed me to consolidate the skills I had acquired and discover new ones,” she says. ‘For about three years, I have been working in a commercial company that operates nationally in the distribution of medical devices for medical gas systems and in industrial, civil and hospital supplies, such as PPE, first aid, firefighting and accident prevention equipment.’
Her role today is cross-functional: she supports the commercial area by handling presentations to clients, preparing materials and offers, accessing market procedures and opportunities, and liaising with buyers and companies, including through digital channels such as LinkedIn. It is a constantly evolving job, which today can also progress thanks to the use of new technologies and digital tools.
Regarding her participation in the “Intelligenze al femminile nell'IA” (Female Intelligence in AI) project, she told us that she learned about the course through the information services and communications of the local Chamber of Commerce. 'In agreement with my team, we felt that it was an interesting and relevant course, not least because it is not so often that you have the opportunity to access free, high-quality training on innovative topics. Furthermore, the course came at a significant time for our company, which is undergoing a phase of reorganisation and change, including the unification of activities, brand renewal and the creation of a new website and e-commerce platform. We therefore saw artificial intelligence as a useful tool to support this transition phase and to effectively manage internal change."
What skills have you acquired and how are you using them in your work or daily life?
"Before the course, I already had a basic knowledge of artificial intelligence, particularly through the use of tools such as ChatGPT, which I used mainly to support me in creating content, such as product descriptions for social media or customised company presentations for clients. It was a tool that helped me speed up and refine certain processes, but I used it in a very intuitive and quick way. Thanks to the course, I was able to consolidate this knowledge by learning to name and structure the various steps, using real terminology. I acquired new knowledge that made me understand how artificial intelligence can be used strategically, and I intend to apply it in my work context as well. After this course, I definitely feel more confident and aware in using artificial intelligence tools. Today, I see them as a concrete support, capable of optimising working time and improving the organisation of activities'.
Have you encountered difficulties or prejudice as a woman in your professional career? Did the training help you overcome them?
'In my professional career, I have not directly faced prejudice or difficulties related to being a woman. On the contrary, I have found the environment to be fairly equitable, where professional contributions are valued regardless of gender.
Furthermore, working in a team composed largely of women is a positive aspect for me, contributing to an inclusive atmosphere. Paths like this help to strengthen personal and professional confidence, making it easier to face change and the introduction of new technologies with greater awareness."
If you had to sum up the impact of the course on you in one word?
"I would say surprising. It was surprising to discover how many women have taken an interest in this topic, especially those of very different ages and professional backgrounds from my own. This made me reflect on how digital development is now a common and shared interest.
I was positively struck by the fact that artificial intelligence is not seen as an obstacle to be defended against, but as an opportunity worth investing time and energy in to understand and use, both in the workplace and in everyday life.
Furthermore, this course reinforced a belief that I already held: the need to approach artificial intelligence in a more conscious way, as a tool capable of improving work processes and becoming a useful resource for the people around me.
The story is by Onelia Onorati, press office of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale.
