From delivering a workshop as a United Nations delegate in New York to being awarded Global Volunteer of the Year in London, 2025 has been a year of many wins for Seymour local Sarah Barnbrook.

The successes, however, don’t seem to be slowing down for the charity founder and advocate.

Ms Barnbrook has recently been announced as a finalist in the AI for Social Good category of the Women in AI Asia-Pacific awards.

As a result of her dedication to Away From Keyboard, a not-for-profit and charity organisation working to prevent harm from digital spaces and protect vulnerable people from the threats posed by being online, Ms Barnbrook has received the acclaim.

Ms Barnbrook, despite herself being a seasoned award winner, still finds herself staggered by the commendation.

“It’s one of those things where you feel like you don’t deserve to be in the room,” she said.

“I’m so honoured to even be considered; I’ve read the other people, and it’s just really humbling.”

Founded in Paris in 2016, Women in AI is a not-for-profit that works towards inclusive AI that benefits a global society, empowering women and minorities to become AI and data experts, innovators and leaders.

This will be the fourth year of Women in AI operating in the Asia-Pacific region, and celebrating the women who are advancing the field of AI.

The AI for Social Good category, sponsored by Microsoft, commends initiatives where AI is being used to solve social challenges, improve community building or drive sustainable development.

Ms Barnbrook is set to attend the awards night in Sydney on Friday, July 25, and said she couldn’t wait to connect with the other attendees.

“I’m really excited just to network with some of the other women in this space,” Ms Barnbrook said.

“It is surreal, and I’m very, very humbled to go and be with other women that are killing it in the space.”

Despite the accolades, Ms Barnbrook said she was “certainly not a force that’s stopping”.

Set to begin studies of AI at university, put out a book and deliver workshops for schools and community groups, Ms Barnbrook’s work towards a future filled with ethical AI models will be a continuous journey.

“I’m on the precipice of, not just myself, but AI in general — there’s so much good coming for it, and I’m here for it,” Ms Barnbrook said.

“I would love the world to have found ethics ... I don’t think it’s going to happen this year, but I’m advocating for it.

“I’m making sure that we push that this point of view needs to change.”

Stay tuned to seymourtelegraph.com.au/ to listen to journalist Billie Davern discuss all things AI with Ms Barnbrook.

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Sunday, 6th August 2023

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