Women in AI. Silicon Valley: Meet Greta
When the opportunity arose to go to the USA in September, I jumped at it. I have been working on a number of projects and there was about to be a nice overlap; a chance where AI could enhance Connected Commerce and vice versa. As I met founders and tech experts, I honed in on communities and women making it happen. I think a dose of inspiration is highly relevant as we step into an age where AI will become more widely understood, adopted, and an accelerator for change.
So, I asked a number of the women I met if they would chat to me and share their story, their work in AI and any tips to those of us earlier in our AI journey. Meeting humans behind AI reminds us of our agency - the AI age will be what we make it.
Greta McAnany is the founder of mental health platform Blue Fever.
Meet Greta.
An actress and journalist, Greta had a career combining theatre and writing - the editor at the LA Stage Times at one stage - before turning her hand to the intersection of mental health and technology. Greta is now a VC backed entrepreneur who believes innovation should serve our most human needs. The founder of Blue Fever believes mental health is the greatest challenge of our generation - and that technology can unlock a new level of support and empathy to this escalating issue.
An alarming 90% of young people in the US report mental health problems with large numbers of teenagers having persistent feelings of sadness & hopelessness that can lead to suicide ideation.
Blue Fever’s on a mission to reverse this epidemic by helping youth find the support they’ve been struggling to find online.
Through the power of self-expression, empathetic AI, positive peer support, and technology with emotional relevance, they have created a virtual community that is supportive, safe, and hyper-focused on helping others grow into their authentic selves.
A judgment-free, anonymous community that is a safe space alongside the emotional support companion, Blue (AI).
I asked Greta if she could share her advice to women working in technology or looking to level up their AI skills, given her inspiring path from journalism to AI-founder.
“Figure out what lights you up”
Starting out in tech, especially AI, is a journey of exploration. Don’t feel like you have to commit to one path right away. Expose yourself to different roles and experiences, whether through internships, side projects, freelancing, or contracting. Take advantage of informational interviews to get firsthand knowledge of what a day in the life of someone in various tech or AI roles is like. The more diverse your exposure, the better equipped you’ll be to figure out what excites you. Passion drives long-term success, so pay attention to what work energizes you.
“Leverage your non-tech skills”
Having experience outside of tech is a powerful asset. People who’ve only worked in tech might miss the creative or problem-solving insights that come from other disciplines. If you come from another field, embrace it—it gives you an edge! Whether you have a background in marketing, psychology, sales, or art, those skills can deepen your contributions to tech and AI, which thrive on interdisciplinary innovation. For example, creativity is critical when designing AI solutions, and communication skills are invaluable in breaking down complex concepts for others.
“Tackle Imposter Syndrome with confidence”
Imposter Syndrome is incredibly common in tech, especially in emerging fields like AI, where no one has all the answers. The truth is, everyone is learning as the field evolves. Stay curious and embrace the mindset that AI is still being shaped. Absorb as much as you can, but don’t worry if you feel like you’re behind. AI is just a tool, and your value comes from how well you understand its potential and can apply it in new, innovative ways. Know that your unique perspective and ability to adapt are just as important as deep technical knowledge.
Thank you Greta! Anyone else feeling inspired? Let’s dive in.
