Our Story

In February 2025, two friends working on responsible AI in Paris – Michelle Nie and Joanna Kramer – met for coffee in the 11th arrondissement and decided to embark on an ambitious new project.

While attending conferences and having coffee chats, they noticed troubling disconnects. The fields of AI safety, ethics, and governance were speaking different languages, rarely working together and building walls instead of bridges. Even more concerning, these spaces remained overwhelmingly male-dominated, with women's voices often relegated to the margins of conversations that would shape the future of technology. They watched brilliant women express interest in transitioning into responsible AI, only to be discouraged by the lack of female role models, mentors, and communities to support them along the journey. 

Michelle and Joanna decided to host a meetup at the fringes of the AI Action Summit in Paris, with the goal of connecting inspiring women either established or new to the field of responsible AI. Women from around the world attended, sharing stories, exchanging ideas, and expressing overwhelming enthusiasm for a global community with localised events. 

From those humble beginnings, the Paris chapter was born, starting with monthly meet-ups focused on fostering community and creating a supportive space for women from all stages of their careers. The response was immediate and powerful – women needed these types of spaces to connect and share their experiences. 

Since then, WISE has grown to London and Washington, D.C. and welcomed new community leads.