WODIL Conference 2025: Embracing diversity and inclusion in the AI Era
The 5th anniversary of the World Diversity in Leadership (WODIL) Conference kicked off in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with a thought-provoking opening address by Dr. Hilda Fankah-Arthur, President and Founder of the Centre for Intellectual Excellence (CeFIE) Canada.
The conference theme, “Navigating New Frontiers: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in the AI and Automation Era,” highlights the importance of diverse leadership in shaping AI to be ethical, fair, and inclusive [1].
Dr. Fankah-Arthur emphasized that Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives are not just noble aspirations, but an imperative for organizations, communities, and societies.
She noted that the current backlash against EDI initiatives should not deter us from promoting the value of this work, which has been shown to drive innovation, growth, and productivity.
The conference aims to explore how AI and automation can be leveraged to expand equitable access, elevate diverse voices, and transform leadership practices.
Dr. Fankah-Arthur stressed that AI is not automatically neutral or fair and that intentional inclusion is necessary to prevent the amplification of historical and societal biases.
As part of the 5th anniversary celebrations, Dr. Fankah-Arthur announced the upcoming launch of the WODIL Report, which will capture highlights from the previous four years and integrate new ideas from 2025.
The report will serve as a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact of inclusive leadership globally.
The Centre for Intellectual Excellence (CeFIE Canada) and WODIL Inc. remain committed to promoting inclusive leadership and educating leaders across sectors, geographies, and industries.
Dr. Fankah-Arthur expressed gratitude to the attendees and emphasized that everyone is a contributor to this cause, co-creating ideas that will shape inclusive leadership in the years to come.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
