You can’t control the ocean.
As a surfing enthusiast, Helen Wang knows this well. When you’re riding the waves, you become particularly aware of the power of the water. It’s impossible to control them.
But what matters is that you read the patterns and act accordingly. You study it, you anticipate the movements, and you commit decisively when the wave comes. And you must practise your muscles, so you have the strength to truly ride those opportunities when they come.
And that’s exactly how Wang views business and AI transformation, too.
Wang speaking at an Apex Group Client Summit. Source: Helen Wang
Business as a force for good
From China originally, Wang started her career in engineering, having earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the selective China University of Petroleum, then later a Master in Engineering/Industrial Management at Northeastern University.
Looking through her long list of experiences, though, you’ll notice that her expertise spans beyond those fields, with roles in venture capital firms, leadership positions in healthtech, and even being a founder or founding member at times.
But one shared quality between her roles is the focus on technology. Even back in 2013, when few were familiar with AI, Wang was already building predictive models.
This was more than a decade ago. Now, Wang is the Chief AI and Data Science Officer at APEX Group in Abu Dhabi, a global financial services provider.
This role was in part enabled by Wang’s decision to pursue an MBA at INSEAD in 2018, the famed business school in France.
“When I first read about INSEAD business as a force for good, and a business school for the world, those philosophies resonated with me deeply,” Wang said. “I wanted to really think more globally and lead more responsibly, and understand how capital, technology, and policy shape businesses and the society, and bring benefits to the community.”
And Wang was able to learn about all that and more. INSEAD shaped her ability to operate across cultures, which she knows is extremely critical to her AI work today.
Wang speaking at a panel on AI Innovation in Critical Sectors in Riyadh. Source: Helen Wang
Being a female leader in the AI industry
When Wang started working some 20 years ago in the sector, the workforce was very much male-centric. She remembers going out to do fieldwork, and there being no women’s toilet on site.
At times, people have even assumed she was the secretary and asked her to stay outside. In reality, Wang was often the person in charge of the function.
As of 2024, women made up approximately 29% of the AI workforce, so Wang is, once again, still the few women in her field.
In terms of advice on how to navigate such a situation, Wang says, “You really have to understand what you do.”
And that doesn’t just mean deep domain expertise. You must really know your stuff across disciplines. In the world of AI, for example, you need to be good at business, corporate governance, investments, capital – all on top of the technology itself.
This much is true for both men and women in leadership positions. But as women are more frequently undermined, it is more critical for them to showcase this knowledge.
Looking back on her journey, Wang has one more key advice to share: don’t wait for permission to lead.
“The frontier does not issue invitations,” she says. “You just have to feel, know the work you do, know the foundation to lead. And if you see this is the right thing, then put yourself at the right place at the right time and then you just lead.”
Wang is often invited to speak at symposiums given her industry expertise. Source: Helen Wang
Artificial intelligence, human intention
AI moves very fast. But moving fast without governance can be destructive.
“When I started my role as a Chief AI Data Officer, on day one made it explicitly clear that it’s non-negotiable for AI governance be in place before we do anything on AI,” she says.
Ethical considerations must be had across the board, from the data bias to the human in the loop – guardrails must be embedded into the workflow.
Wang shares that her team works closely with regulators in different regions, and even contributes to the AI regulatory authorities.
Looking ahead, she believes that the development of machine intelligence will come down to human intention.
She says, “I think leaders, especially women leaders who combine both, will shape how we value [AI], how the value is created and shared globally with intention and the combination of human and machine intelligence.”
