Black Women in the Age of AI
Description
AI is changing the way we work. The question is: what does that mean for Black women?
From the tools we use every day to the way organisations make decisions about talent, performance and opportunity, artificial intelligence is already reshaping the workplace.
But as AI accelerates, there are bigger questions worth asking.
Who gets to shape the future of work? Who gets left out? And how do Black women make sure we are not simply adapting to the future, but actively participating in building it?
Join Black Girls Level Up (BGLU) for Black Women in the Age of AI, a candid and practical conversation exploring what AI means for Black women navigating modern workplaces, leadership and career growth.
This isn't a conversation about becoming a tech expert or predicting what AI will do next.
It’s about understanding what is happening now, getting curious about what is possible and thinking strategically about how we position ourselves for what comes next.
WHAT TO EXPECT
🤖 AI without the jargon
Get a practical perspective on how AI is changing work, leadership and the skills we need to stay relevant. Whether you're already experimenting with AI or still figuring out where to start, this conversation is designed to meet you where you are.
💼 The future of work and leadership
What happens when AI starts changing how we work, make decisions and demonstrate value? We’ll explore the opportunities and challenges for Black women across corporate, entrepreneurial and leadership spaces.
⚠️ The risks we need to be talking about
AI isn't neutral. From bias and representation to the way algorithms can influence decisions and opportunities, we'll unpack some of the questions Black women should be asking as these technologies become more embedded in our working lives.
🚀 From consumer to creator
Rather than simply asking what AI can do for us, let's talk about how we can use it to amplify our ideas, businesses, careers and influence.
HEAR FROM WOMEN AT THE INTERSECTION OF AI, LEADERSHIP AND TECHNOLOGY
We’ll be joined by:
Jia Keatnuxsuo - AI Tech Chapter Lead, Woodside Energy | Perth AI & OpenCodex Community Builder
Gry Stene - Human Intelligence Strategist, Speaker, Author & Advisor
Yemu Phiri - People and Culture Strategist & PhD Researcher
Expect an honest, accessible conversation that goes beyond the hype and gets into the real questions Black women are navigating right now.
AND THEN… WE FEAST. 🍽️
Because what's a BGLU gathering without good food and even better conversation?
Following the discussion, we'll come together over a special African-inspired feast hosted by Dwight of Peasants Paradice.
Dwight brings a rich multicultural perspective to the table, with food inspired by his African heritage and experiences. Peasants Paradice is known for turning food into a cultural experience, and we're excited to bring that same spirit into the room.
So yes, you're coming for the AI conversation.
But you're staying for the food, the sisterhood, the conversations and the connections.
THIS IS FOR YOU IF YOU ARE...
→ Curious about AI but not sure where to start
→ Already using AI and want to think more strategically about it
→ Building a career, business or leadership profile
→ Thinking about how technology will affect your industry
→ Interested in responsible and inclusive approaches to AI
→ Looking for a room of ambitious Black women to learn and connect with
→ Or simply ready for a Saturday morning that combines ideas, sisterhood and an excellent meal
You don't need to be an AI expert.
You just need to be willing to think about what comes next.
COME WITH YOUR QUESTIONS. LEAVE WITH POSSIBILITIES.
The future of work is being shaped now.
Let's make sure Black women are part of the conversation.
Join us for Black Women in the Age of AI.
📅 Saturday, 26 September 2026
⏰ 10:00am – 12:30pm AWST
📍 Peasants Paradice, 197 Brisbane Street, Perth
Limited tickets available.
Come for the conversation.
Stay for the feast.
Leave with a room full of women to build the future with.
Secure your ticket and join us.
Lineup
Jia Keatnuxsuo
Jia Keatnuxsuo is an AI and technology leader, community builder and passionate advocate for making technology more accessible and inclusive. With a background spanning data, artificial intelligence, cloud technology and environmental sustainability, Jia has worked at the intersection of technology and real-world problem solving, helping organisations understand and adopt emerging technologies. She has also built a strong presence in Perth’s technology community, leading initiatives that bring people together to learn, experiment and build with AI. Jia is particularly passionate about creating pathways into technology for people from underrepresented backgrounds and helping more people move from simply consuming technology to confidently creating with it. She is currently active in Perth’s growing AI ecosystem and leads the local OpenAI Codex community, creating spaces where people can explore what AI can actually do through hands-on experimentation and collaboration. An award-winning technologist, TEDx speaker, endurance athlete and lifelong learner, Jia brings a curious and practical perspective to conversations about AI, technology and the future of work. At Black Women in the Age of AI, Jia will explore what it means to navigate the rapidly changing AI landscape, where the opportunities are and how Black women can move from being users of AI to active participants in shaping what comes next.
Gry Stene
Gry Stene is a Human Intelligence Strategist, Responsible AI speaker and technology leader helping people and organisations navigate the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence. With almost four decades of experience across software engineering, digital transformation, product leadership and organisational change, Gry has been working with emerging technology long before AI became the conversation it is today. She first encountered AI in 1986 and has since worked across multiple waves of technological change, including intelligent systems, enterprise technology, digital transformation, generative AI and the emerging world of agentic AI. Today, Gry's work focuses on a question that sits at the heart of responsible AI: how do we make sure technology amplifies human intelligence rather than replacing the judgement, creativity and lived experience that make us human? Through her work with leaders and organisations, Gry helps people move beyond the hype and fear surrounding AI and develop the confidence, critical thinking and practical capability to use it well. Her approach puts human intelligence first, asking better questions about context, purpose, impact and who is affected before reaching for the technology. Gry is also a passionate advocate for inclusion in technology and innovation. She founded STEAM Engine Global to champion the value of diverse skills and perspectives in technology and has spent years mentoring women across technology, entrepreneurship and resources. She is a TEDx speaker and has worked across industries and cultures, bringing a distinctly human perspective to conversations about technology and the future of work. At Black Women in the Age of AI, Gry will explore what it means to remain human-led in an increasingly AI-enabled world, and why diverse voices, lived experience and human judgement matter when we are deciding what kind of future we want to build.
Yemu Phiri
Yemu Phiri is a people, culture and organisational development leader, educator and advocate with more than 18 years of experience across industries including mining, oil and gas and construction. Her career has been shaped by a deep interest in how people navigate organisations, build meaningful careers and create opportunities for themselves and others. After experiencing first-hand the challenges faced by migrant women and women of colour in corporate Australia, Yemu founded the African Professional Women (APW) meet-up, creating a space for women to connect, learn, upskill and build the networks that can make a real difference to career progression. Yemu is also a researcher exploring the impact of generative AI on HR professional legitimacy, value and identity, making her uniquely placed to speak about how AI is changing not just the technology we use, but the way organisations understand people, expertise and work. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, inclusion, organisational development and the future of work. She is passionate about equipping women with the confidence, networks and knowledge to navigate systems that were not always designed with them in mind. At Black Women in the Age of AI, Yemu will bring a people and organisational lens to the conversation, exploring what the rise of AI means for careers, professional identity and the opportunities available to Black women in the workplace.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
