IIMB hosts 7th Annual Women in Data Science Conference; Women researchers, leaders from new age and Fortune 500 companies discussed application and possibilities with Data Sciences, Generative AI

BENGALURU: To inspire and empower women data researchers, the Data Centre and Analytics Lab (DCAL) at IIM Bangalore hosted the 7th annual Women in Data Science (WiDS) Conference 2025. Part of a Stanford University initiative, the one-day technical conference provided an opportunity to discuss the latest data science-related research and applications across domains.

Accomplished women data scientists and leaders discussed cutting-edge applications and innovations with Gen AI and data technologies. Women leaders from Accenture, Biocon Biologics, Deloitte, EXL, Fractal Analytics, GE Appliances, Genpact, Michelin, PayPal, Target, and Visa shared insights into how they leveraged Data and AI technologies in their companies for a variety of functions.

The conference was organised under the leadership of WiDS Ambassadors–Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, IIMB’s Dean Faculty and Chairperson of DCAL. He  said, "The WiDS Bengaluru Conference 2025 played an important role in highlighting the contributions of women in shaping the future of data sciences and AI. It brought together leaders from leading companies who shared their pioneering work across domains. From leveraging the transformative power of AI in enterprises, to scaling Generative AI for driving business improvements as well as the crucial role of women in shaping AI policy and governance. This event underscored the dynamic evolution of AI and also emphasised the importance of diverse perspectives in navigating its future."

Delivering the keynote, Dr Ambica Rajagopal, Group Chief Data and AI Officer at Michelin said, “The jump in AI technology surprised everyone, but it's clear that AI is transforming lives for the better. From applications that improve manufacturing efficiency and automate boring parts of jobs, to democratizing access to technology, AI is a critical conversation for enterprises. Technical expertise drives these impactful projects, and responsible AI ensures trust and compliance in this new era.”

 Speaking about Scaling with GenAI, Smitha Ganesh, Managing Director - AI, Accenture said,”AI personalisation has been a longstanding challenge. Effective implementation hinges on crucial factors like data availability, balancing precision and recall, and segmenting users for tailored experiences. Real-time responsiveness is critical for user engagement, though managing these complex systems demands significant time and resources."

Talking about business storytelling with data sciences, Susmita Chaudhury, Partner - Technology & Transformation, Deloitte said, “In the age of AI, data science is no longer just about analytics — it’s about storytelling that drives strategy. With access to real-time insights at our fingertips, businesses can personalize customer journeys, automate workflows, and make bold, data-driven decisions. When we shift left in data projects, prioritize governance, and manage intellectual property with intent, we don't just reduce risks — we unlock narratives that move markets. AI enables scale, cloud automation refines user experience, and the right story built on the right data can turn complexity into clarity, and action into impact.”

On how AI and data science is tackling buyer abuse and post purchase disputes for ecommerce, Andaleeb Shadan, Senior Director, Resolutions and Protections at Paypal said, “As e-commerce accelerates, so does the sophistication of fraud and the impact of returns abuse — which is fast becoming an existential threat to retailers. The power of data science lies in its ability to tell the full story behind every transaction: who the customer is, what they need, and where the risks lie. At PayPal, we’re using AI and data science not just to detect and prevent fraud, but to design systems that understand the customer lifecycle, protect against losses, and build trust. When data, design, and ethics align, we don’t just fight fraud — we future-proof the business.”

Other members from the institute were Ms. Shailaja Grover, Ms. Harini Thammaiah, Ms. Afreen Aman, Ms. Ashwini Chandrashekharaiah; and Ms. Harini Anand. The conference included sessions on scaling AI solutions, enhancing learning experience with data, business storytelling through analytics, and leveraging AI to tackle industry challenges.