Carmen Díaz

Computers and sports battled for my attention growing up. I would often skip my English classes to hit the tennis courts. My love for soccer saw me playing for both of my universities, and I even played field hokey for a couple of years!

As the years went by, my curiosity grew stronger as I watched my oldest brother become increasingly immersed in technology. Before I knew it, I found myself eagerly waiting for him to leave for work or school, so I could secretly play on his computer.

Starting my tech journey in Paraguay was quite the adventure, especially as a woman in a field where you could hardly find any ladies around. Picture this: a traditional Catholic family, my dad's a military engineer, my mom's a dentist, and my brothers are all about engineering, just like dad. Chances were NaN 😅

Sticking to traditional gender roles was the norm in my home, so me diving into Software Engineering was kind of a big deal. But I was captivated by technology and its potential, so I secretly chased my dream with the help of my super hero Ñate (mi Mami), I studied for a business major at one university as my dad suggested, while surreptitiously studying computer systems analysis at another.

Today, driven by a profound sense of responsibility, my curiosity has naturally led me deeper into AI and machine learning. I continue learning through reading, hands-on experimentation, and building because I want to understand the technologies shaping the world my son is growing up in. As both a software engineer and a mother, I believe it's important to help prepare him and his generation for the opportunities and challenges ahead.