Why Representation Matters in AI: Stories from WOMEN x AI Founders Captured by Natasha Renée

Taken by Natasha Renée as part of her Featured Founders series

Why Representation Matters in AI — and Who's Telling the Story

In the latest feature from the Female Founder Fotos series, WOMEN x AI co-founders Reut Lazo and Jenny Kay Pollock share what it truly means to build inclusive AI — from the inside out.

Paired with a stunning photo and video session captured by photographer Natasha Renée, this spotlight offers an intimate glimpse into the women shaping the future of artificial intelligence. From early AR headset design to global community-building, these leaders are rewriting what it means to lead in tech and they’re doing it with intention, empathy, and boldness.

Meet the Featured Founders: Reut & Jenny

Reut Lazo is a Silicon Valley product leader and the Co-Founder of WOMEN x AI. With roots in augmented reality and AI platforms, her focus is on building technologies that are both human-centered and community informed.

“The problem I’m trying to solve is to make sure AI is accessible for everyone — and that it’s not so scary.”

Jenny Kay Pollock, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of WOMEN x AI, entered tech without a computer science degree and has since become a powerful voice for inclusive design, automation strategies, and leadership without gatekeeping.

“AI is for all of us — and it needs to be built by all of us.”

🎥 Watch: Reut Lazo on Building AI with Empathy and Focus Captured by Natasha Renée as part of the Featured Founders series

Behind the Lens: Natasha Renée & the Power of Visibility

The portraits and videos featured in this spotlight were brought to life by Natasha Renée, founder of Featured Founders, a storytelling platform designed to amplify purpose-driven women entrepreneurs through photography and video.

Natasha’s Female Founder Fotos series blends visual artistry with meaningful dialogue — capturing not just what these founders do, but why they do it.

“Through this lens, we don’t just see a business — we see the woman behind it, her mission, her mindset, her magic.” – Natasha Renée

🎥 Watch: Jenny Kay Pollock on Inclusive AI, Burnout, and Community-First Tech A candid conversation captured by Natasha Renée

Designing AI With Empathy and Intention

For Reut, designing from a blank slate is both a challenge and an opportunity:

“Even one user has many needs. But what’s the one thing that can drive change? Focus on that.”

She encourages teams to start with the user and to resist the temptation to overbuild or overextend early products.

Jenny, on the other hand, approaches design with accessibility and automation in mind — sharing how she saves hours of work each week using tools like Autocrat, a free Chrome extension that automates content formatting.

“Look for the task you dread doing over and over. That’s where AI can help.”

Advice for Women Navigating Tech and AI

When asked what teams can do to make tech spaces safer for women, Reut is clear:

“Call her name. Invite her into the conversation. Don’t wait for her to step up.”

Jenny underscores the power of learning in community not just for access, but for accountability and inspiration.

“You don’t need to know what an LLM is to start using AI. You just need to start. And it helps when you’re not doing it alone.”

The Deeper Why: Centering Women in the AI Era

At the heart of both founders’ missions is a shared belief: AI must reflect the diversity of the world it serves.

“We made mistakes in the social media era. With AI, we have a chance to do better, but only if we include more voices in the room.” – Jenny Kay Pollock

“My deeper why is making sure women have the spotlight they deserve in AI.” – Reut Lazo

Through WOMEN x AI, they’re creating platforms for learning, connecting, and experimenting with AI — not just for experts, but for everyone. And with Natasha Renée behind the camera, their stories and those of the broader community are being captured with the care and visibility they deserve.

Final Thoughts: Seeing Ourselves in the Future We’re Building

When women build, we all benefit. When we center inclusion, we change outcomes. And when we tell these stories, visually, vocally, publicly, we create blueprints for what’s possible.

“There’s power in being seen. In telling your story. And in creating space for others to rise with you.” – Natasha Renée

This spotlight is more than a feature it’s a reminder that representation in AI isn't optional. It’s transformational. Check out the rest of the founders featured by Natasha Renée on the Featured Founders YouTube channel. Learn more about Natasha Renée and her Featured Founders series.

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