Who is Marie Oldfield?
Marie (CStat, CSci, PStat, FIScT) is the CEO of Oldfield Consultancy and Kuinua Coaching.
Marie is an Entrepreneur, Public Speaker and Fellow of the Institute of Science and Technology. With two businesses, a podcast and published papers, Marie manages a packed diary on a day to day basis. She is a sought after global leader in her field; experienced in leading large global analytics teams to drive and transform strategic insights and decision making for Defence, Governments and the Private Sector. Marie works at the forefront of Ethical AI, driving improvement, and development. Marie is an established global speaker, sharing her stories and experiences of Statistics, AI and Defence. Marie has been called upon to validate degrees and provide input to industrial University Modules by UK Universities. Marie gives back to the global community through extensive pro-bono work.
At Oldfield Consultancy we see people, not numbers. We exist to simplify the complexity around the problems that matter. Oldfield Consultancy brings together real-life and analysis to help change lives. www.oldfieldconsultancy.co.uk
Have you always been interested in technology? What made you become interested in technology?
I was not hugely interested in technology as a child, mostly because at that time we didn’t have phones or computers. I was more interested in humanities and languages. As I got older, I saw the technological revolution begin and realised the doors that I could open so that’s when I decided to swap my degree to Mathematics and never looked back.
Did you have female role models that you looked up to and still do on your career journey? Who are they?
At the time, I never felt as if I consciously had female role models but retrospectively, looking back at people that did impact my thinking, certainly Helen Sharman stands out as someone that awed me at the time. Helen won a radio competition to go into space and that really showed me that women really do have no limits.
Helen showed just how much women have to offer and how far they can go in the field of STEM. Years later, I have the privilege of working with Helen Sharman as part of the Executive at the Institute of Science and Technology.
What does being a leader in the Artificial Intelligence and ethics industry mean?
Being a Leader in the AI and ethics Industry means understanding the risks to society and users as well as examining the potential of new technology. When new technology is sold, it is rarely sold with a list of potential risks, so it is crucial for Leaders such as myself to ensure that what is developed does benefit society. This is the mantra that Oldfield Consultancy has always been based on.
One of my favourite quotes is from Jurassic park and captures this really well “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should” I see myself as the person that asks whether we should.
What ethical issues are triggered by AI?
There are so many. I have papers on these areas coming out in Journals and a podcast coming up where we discuss this. One of the newest ideas is dehumanisation where use of technology can lead humans to devalue other humans. This is a burgeoning area of research and one on which I have already done several talks to interdisciplinary groups.
What has been your career highlight so far?
I was really honoured to be nominated by my peers at the Institute of Science and Technology for Fellowship. Recommendation for Fellow by the Executive board at the IST recognised my contribution to Women in Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and ensuring technology is implemented for good in society.
What has been the biggest challenge for you? How did you overcome it?
Not being a natural mathematician and meeting road bumps repeatedly. I have spoken about this in seminars but I was repeatedly told by my male lecturers that I would never be good enough at Maths to pass a degree and experienced some poor treatment. However, I now have a BSc In Mathematics and Statistics, MSc in Applied Statistics, MSc in Philosophy and shortly I will have a PhD in Computer Science/Artificial Intelligence. I don’t believe in listening to others telling you what you can and can’t do. I believe everyone has a superpower and we just have to find our individual one.
Artificial intelligence worries many people and the main concern is loss of employment. What is your view? How can you help in changing this belief and mindset?
I think this is a common misconception fuelled by marketing of AI. Realistically all we can do right now is automate some processes, and still we can’t do this that well. Humans will always be needed as oversight to machine decisions because Machines just don’t have experience, context or analytical thought in the same way we do. They can perform bounded repetitive tasks well but that is about where we are, right now. If true AI can be invented, I think the first question we should ask is ‘Why do we want it?’
What barriers have you found that limit the advancement of women into technology?
There are so many barriers. The world at the moment is leaving the ‘old white male’ era and becoming more diverse. There are still huge barriers to diversity beginning with women taking maternity leave or career breaks and not being given the same opportunities, lack of diverse role models in STEM and sometimes outward discrimination from the old guard. What I always say to the Women in Tech group is that, if we are to move forward, we have to do it together and this means hard questions and hard discussions in order to achieve this. This is why all genders are invited to the group because we want a truly interdisciplinary movement where everyone is valued for their individual talent and needs.
As a woman in Technology, were there women who supported you on this career path?
The environments I have worked in are very much male dominated so personally, no. I have also experienced women who feel the need to emulate the ‘old white male culture’ which has been extremely damaging to those around them. This is due to, I believe, lack of true female role models in STEM and the culture change that is slowly happening in STEM. We won’t get there tomorrow, and we have to get past the media pitting women against each other also, but in the next decade I expect to see strong advances in interdisciplinary and diversity within technology.
What is the biggest challenge that girls and women face in taking on STEM options?
Potentially the perception that it is for boys. Women have broken serious barriers over the last decade. Women now serve on Submarines, trek jungles, cross the Atlantic and run major corporations. Women can be mothers and successful at their chosen career as well. It doesn’t have to be a choice nowadays. Women have more opportunities than ever before and my advice is to do what you love and take it as far as you want, your only barrier is yourself.
What advice would you give any young girl or woman getting into technology?
Do what you enjoy and what you love. It is a long time to be in a career you don’t like. And if at any point you want to change, take your transferable skills and do it. You have to make yourself happy, and it doesn’t matter if someone says only boys are car mechanics or you should have a family and not a career, don’t pay any attention. You know what you are capable of so shine bright girls and follow your dreams.
What future do you project in Artificial Intelligence?
A long development journey starting with greater levels of automation and technology at home and in the workplace. This can create new issues in the social environment like dehumanisation and infringement of human rights and it’s recognising how we deal with these problems. There will be some friction as new technology beds in, and as we have seen, there will be some legal challenges. If we keep working together as a society we can take what benefits us and discard what doesn’t.
As an entrepreneur and someone supporting entrepreneurship through your podcasts, how has establishing Kuinua coaching and Oldfield consultancy been so far? Do you worry about failure?
I worry about failure every day, it’s part of what pushes me to keep on top of my job. If I didn’t worry about failure I would probably fail. I probably do worry too much but it fuels my excitement of running my own business, having my team around me and watching what I have built succeed. I wouldn’t choose any other career.
What’s your definition of success?
That’s a real problem, when am I successful? I think you can’t say when you are successful but those around you can, simply because we tend to lose sight of successes and highlights as we plough on with the journey. Those around us see our achievements clearer than we do. So next time you ask this question, don’t answer it yourself, ask a supporter close to you instead.
Have you had setbacks since starting out as an entrepreneur? If so, what did you think of them?
Yes, things like sales and accounting that I have had to outsource. This was an indication for me to learn about this as a responsible business owner. If you want to outsource you really have to know something about the area you are outsourcing to so that you can sign off invoices and recognise what should happen, and what maybe isn’t happening. Learning is lifelong and this really did illustrate to me that I have so much more to learn.
What helps you to bounce back when things aren’t going your way?
Taking time away and re-centering myself. Finding ways to relax like holidays, spa breaks or just walking barefoot in the garden to get grounded.
If you had to change one thing in the world, what would it be? Why?
Creating a fair community
I have worked in pro bono organisations for many years now and I am still surprised by the poverty and discriminations that takes place, as well as the awful natural disasters that can cripple communities. I have worked with the Ebola Crisis, the Nepal earthquake and done more projects on disadvantaged segments of society that I can’t count. I think that, as advanced as we are, not much changes sometimes and it’s up to us as a society to keep driving forward for fairness.
As a consultant and trainer in leadership what are the key skills that every stellar woman should aspire to?
Self awareness. This is the key to successful leadership. Once you have self awareness, real self awareness, you can pinpoint your ego and what motivations are driving you. Once you know this, you can start to develop your skills to take account of your emotions, fears, desires and reactions to situations. I had a really good talk with Robert Adolph on the Kuinua Podcast about this topic and as simple as it sounds it really is a lifelong learning experience.
Any special mantra that you’re able to share with Stellar Woman readers?
Treat the criticism process in an objective way. Realise what you need to learn and what you need to change but then also recognise what you don’t, and be content with you. Listen but don’t let it affect you personally. If I had let unwarranted criticism affect me I wouldn’t be where I am today – I used it as fuel to progress.
Do you have a morning routine that supports your stellar career? If so, please share with our readers?
I am terrible with mornings. I am not a morning person. I struggle to get up because I love to sleep. I do try to go for a run in the morning as it leaves me more energised but I’m not saying I’m an athlete, I might be walking for a little bit to get my breath back.
What do you wear to an important business meeting? Why?
Presentation is important to me, it sets the tone and how people perceive you. People are attracted to someone who is professionally and smartly dressed and exuding confidence.
What are the attributes of your ideal stellar woman?
Positive mindset, concentrating on opportunities not setbacks, confidence, self awareness, and just being authentically you.
What do you need to do to make you feel more stellar in your life?
I go outside my comfort zone and when I look back I am proud and confident in what I have achieved. This doesn’t have to be something big, it can be something that challenges you like doing a live video or public speaking. Whatever you think you can do, you can always do so much more.
Where do we see Marie in the next 5 to 10 years?
Recognising how quickly things have changed over the last 5-10 years who knows. If you had said I would have two businesses and be completing a PhD back in 2013 I would have laughed. So, my answer is: Dream Big, let’s go for Ruler of the Universe.
Please set one challenge for the Stellar Woman readers to help them become more stellar?
Examine your Ego and Self Awareness, learn more about how you operate as a person and what your core beliefs are. This will propel you to being more authentically you and not you the world wants you to be.
About Marie Oldfield
Marie founded Kuinua Coaching in order to help Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs learn soft skills and mindset techniques to enhance their lives and careers. Marie is the Host of Kuinua Podcast where she interviews amazing guests with fantastic stories!
Kuinua Coaching helps leaders deliver quality results to generate high performance. www.kuinuacoaching.com
Marie holds the following roles:
Executive Board Member for the Institute of Science and Technology (IST)
REPHRAIN College of Peer Reviewers
Sprite + Expert Fellow
For Humanity (AI and Ethics)
Founder of the IST Artificial Intelligence Group
Founder of the IST Women in Tech group
RSS Statisticians for Society Reviewer
Marie is also a Professional Chartership Assessor for the Science Council.
Marie is extremely proud to be able to improve the life chances of the poorest and most vulnerable across the globe through Statisticians for Society, the UN, the Royal Statistical Society, the Institute of Science and Technology, Statistics without Borders and the Science Council. Marie has been honoured to have worked alongside the UN, Doctors without Borders and MapAction, specifically during the Ebola Crisis and Nepal Earthquake. More generally Marie works with developing countries on health, poverty and education.
Marie is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate. Link to Publications and Academic Profile: https://tinyurl.com/y4pdy7yh
To book: info@dbaspeakers.com