Hosted by Sophie Dowsett-Smith and Limara Thorne, Athena Rebels dives into the hidden gender gap in AI adoption. Women are 20–25% less likely to use AI tools than men, facing barriers like lower confidence, risk aversion, and concerns about privacy and ethics. This gap means fewer women’s voices shaping the future of technology—and risks amplifying bias in AI itself. Join Sophie and Limara as they uncover why this matters, what’s driving the divide, and how closing it could unlock new opportunities for everyone. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: ✅ The gender gap in AI adoption is real: Fewer women are using AI tools, which means less representation in shaping technology. ✅ Barriers go beyond skills: Confidence, risk tolerance, workplace culture, and trust in AI are major factors holding women back. ✅ Business impact: Companies risk losing out on diverse thinking and innovation if the gap isn’t addressed. AI is now a foundational skill, not just another tool. ✅ Bias can be amplified: Underrepresentation in AI training data and usage can reinforce existing biases, making it even more important to design with diversity in mind. ✅ Opportunities for change: Closing the gap could unlock massive productivity and innovation. Women can lead the way in ethical, human-centred AI development. ✅ Action matters: Awareness, education, and intentional support—like mentoring and safe spaces to experiment—are key to bridging the divide. Join the rebellion: 🔔subscribe, comment, and share the topics you want us to tackle next. 📌 The views and opinions expressed in the podcasts recorded in Pax8 studios are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Pax8. This podcast should not be considered professional advice. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Sophie Dowsett-Smith | Strategic Consultant | Pax8 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sophie-dowsett-smith-663b0222 Limara Thorne | Strategic Consultant | Pax8 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/limarathorne ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Andy Readman | Data & AI Director, Academy | Pax8 https://www.linkedin.com/in/aiandy/ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/9oBr50OYkpi Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Pfoh50OYks1 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ https://www.youtube.com/@UCPExUoFAYffRGZtFAkRH8ng ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/YG9P50OYkun

Is confidence something you’re born with, or can it be built? In this episode of Athena Rebels, hosts Sophie Dowsett-Smith and Limara Thorne dive deep into the realities of confidence in the workplace. They share personal stories, explore personality differences, and discuss why confidence often gets misunderstood, especially for women in tech. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: ✅ What confidence really means and why perception matters ✅ Personality types and self-awareness (including insights from Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson) ✅ Practical tips for building confidence in meetings and presentations ✅ The role of mentoring and advocacy ✅ Breaking stereotypes and overcoming societal expectations ✅ Balancing confidence with authenticity ✅ Helping others rise while you climb From childhood influences to professional challenges, mentoring, and self-awareness, this conversation is packed with practical tips and honest reflections to help you boost your confidence and support others along the way. Join the rebellion: 🔔subscribe, comment, and share the topics you want us to tackle next. 📌 The views and opinions expressed in the podcasts recorded in Pax8 studios are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Pax8. This podcast should not be considered professional advice. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Sophie Dowsett-Smith | Strategic Consultant | Pax8 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sophie-dowsett-smith-663b0222 Limara Thorne | Strategic Consultant | Pax8 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/limarathorne ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/9oBr50OYkpi Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Pfoh50OYks1 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ https://www.youtube.com/@UCPExUoFAYffRGZtFAkRH8ng ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/YG9P50OYkun

In the debut episode of Athena Rebels, hosts Limara Thorne and Sophie Dowsett-Smith confront the conversations that professionals shy away from in tech and the modern workplace. From navigating male-dominated industries to rebuilding confidence after career setbacks, Limara and Sophie share their real-life journeys, including workplace bullying, returning from maternity leave, and daring to reinvent their careers in tech despite battling imposter syndrome. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: ✅ Career transitions when you feel unqualified ✅ Why confidence is a team sport ✅ Imposter syndrome: where it comes from & how to fight back ✅ Building a personal brand ✅ Finding (or becoming) an ally ✅ Emotional intelligence as a workplace superpower ✅ Why representation in leadership matters Join the rebellion: 🔔subscribe, comment, and share the topics you want us to tackle next. 📌 The views and opinions expressed in the podcasts recorded in Pax8 studios are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Pax8. This podcast should not be considered professional advice. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS Sophie Dowsett-Smith | Strategic Consultant | Pax8 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sophie-dowsett-smith-663b0222 Limara Thorne | Strategic Consultant | Pax8 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/limarathorne ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ☁ Learn More About Pax8 ☁ Why Pax8? - http://pax8.io/9oBr50OYkpi Explore our cloud marketplace - http://pax8.io/Pfoh50OYks1 ☁ Subscribe To Our Channel ☁ https://www.youtube.com/@UCPExUoFAYffRGZtFAkRH8ng ☁ Follow Us ☁ LinkedIn - http://pax8.io/1jFu50JJ423 Twitter - http://pax8.io/AAth50JJ42u Facebook - http://pax8.io/A4gR50JJ43f ☁ Shop Pax8 Club ☁ See our collection of softwear - http://pax8.io/YG9P50OYkun