Her Story
About Natalia
I've been in the AI field for three and a half years now, after making a deliberate switch from finance and fintech because I wanted to work on something that would actually change the future and make an impact. A few months ago, I transitioned within the AI space to focus specifically on data annotation and operations. My typical day involves making sure all the projects and clients we have are satisfied and that my teams are aligned and ready to work through the goals of what we need to deliver to clients. One of my most notable professional achievements was operating one of the most successful data annotation projects at scale called HLE, based off the HLE benchmark, which brought significant revenue to Scale AI. My background in chemical engineering from Universidad de Romericana in Mexico, where I graduated in 2021, helped shape how I think today, and the rest has been professional experience and learning on the go. What inspired me to get into AI was the ever-changing space and being part of something that is actually going to impact and change the world. Coming from finance, which has always existed but isn't revolutionary, AI is definitely a revolutionary space.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Natalia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think I surrounded myself with very smart people, and also, I've always been someone who was never scared of going into the weeds and going above and beyond when it was needed. Having the right people around me and being willing to dive deep into the details and put in extra effort when necessary has really been key to my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is that if you find a solution, it doesn't matter if it's wrong - you can always go back and change it. What you need to do is just find the solution and move forward. You can always go back and adjust, but the important thing is to take action and not be paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think it's not being scared of getting your hands dirty and working hard and being proactive. Don't be scared of raising your voice and saying what your thoughts are. The tech space isn't always prone to having a lot of women in it, so it's important to speak up and make yourself heard. Be willing to do the hard work and don't hold back from sharing your ideas and perspectives.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I've faced is that the tech space isn't always prone to having a lot of women in it, so not seeing or having women to look up to has been difficult, and making men understand that women have different needs has been a challenge. When I started, my teams were male-dominated, though I've seen that gap start to close for sure. In terms of opportunities, it's such a new and growing field that understanding the limits - where humans go and where technology comes in - is really important. My job is basically the human touch of AI, finding that balance between human intelligence and artificial intelligence.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being proactive and being true to yourself and true to your growth are the values most important to me. I believe in staying authentic to your beliefs and being honest with yourself about your personal and professional development. Taking initiative and being proactive in pursuing what matters to you is essential.
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