Didem Un Ates

Didem Un Ates is a leading AI executive, Algorithm Auditor, and certified Executive Coach, having mastered the application of strategic, operational and business development skills that facilitate innovation and transformation. Formerly the Vice President of AI Strategy and Innovation at Schneider Electric, Didem uses her over 25 years of experience to spearhead responsible AI operationalisation as a Value Accelerator Senior Operating Advisor of Asset Management and Member of the AI/Generative AI Council for Goldman Sachs. She is now available to speak at a wide range of events on diversity, inclusion, responsible AI and human-centric AI.

A global data, AI and metaverse leader today, Didem’s educational qualifications include an MBA from Columbia Business School. After working with a myriad of leading organisations such as CapGemini, EY, and Motorola, Didem was also previously VP of AI Strategy and Innovation at Schneider Electric, where she led generative AI strategy across 20 functions and 130,000 employees before joining Microsoft as a Business Development Lead in 2012. After working across numerous factions of Microsoft, she assumed the position of Head of Applied Strategy for Data & AI at Microsoft. In this role, she co-created and oversaw the organisation’s Metaverse for Education Co-Innovation Program, handling the operationalisation of responsible AI across 120,000 employees. Her supreme efforts resulted in Microsoft’s growth in every aspect, including £3.5 billion in revenue. Other key roles Didem has held include serving as the Managing Director of Data and AI at Accenture. Didem is also the Founder and Chief Executive of LOTUSAI, an AI and GenAI consulting firm through which she advises global private capital firms, hedge funds, and enterprise organisations, such as Goldman Sachs Asset Management. She is an esteemed Advisor and Generative AI Council Member at Goldman Sachs Value Accelerator. She sits on the boards of the Edge AI Foundation, Wharton Alumni AI Studio, Columbia Business School Women's Circle, and the Hg Foundation Technology Advisory Board and has recently become a Board Member of the tinyML Foundation. She is a World Economic Forum Fellow and Forbes Tech Council member. 

Didem is particularly driven to make the field of technology and AI as inclusive as can be, having founded the Microsoft ‘Girls in AI’ Hackathon and Bootcamp, which she continues to spearhead, as well as 'Alice Envisions the Future'. She has a multitude of accolades to her name, including the 2022 Microsoft Rise Award and the Dublin Tech Summit Diversity Role Model award. She was also a finalist for the 2022 WomenTech Network Global AI Inclusion Award and was included in the Trailblazer50 list. Her recent honours include being named CEO of the Year UK 2025 in AI Advisory and Upskilling, named as a TechWomen 100 Champion, being awarded New Technology Consultancy of the Year 2025 & 2026, and winning the Responsible AI Innovation and Growth in Business Award 2025 from Wealth and Finance Magazine, Most Innovative Boutique AI Advisory 2025 by Business Circle, and Best New Business of the Year 2025 by the Women's Business Circle.

With over two decades of experience as an artificial intelligence, technology strategy, innovation and business transformation expert, there are few as accomplished as Didem. You are sure to leave your audience better informed and inspired when you book Didem Un Ates for your next technology and AI-related event. 

In December 2023, we sat down virtually with Didem Un Ates and discussed her favourite future technologies and how companies can introduce AI into everyday practices. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Didem Un Ates.