Reimagining power, equity and impact through AI
As artificial intelligence reshapes the world at breakneck speed, Dr Nici Sweaney, founder of AI consultancy Ai Her Way, is helping organisations harness its potential to build ethical, scalable businesses.
BRANDVOICE – SPECIAL FEATURE
For Dr Nici Sweaney, artificial intelligence isn’t just a new wave of technology – it’s a seismic power shift. As the founder of consultancy Ai Her Way, Sweaney is on a mission to ensure that women and organisations don’t get left behind in the AI revolution. “AI is not a tool,” she says. “It’s a foundational transformation. It changes how we work, lead, and how we shape the future.”
A former academic with a PhD in conservation ecology, Sweaney spent 17 years in higher education and over a decade as a data analyst. But everything changed during the rise of generative AI in 2022. “I remember shaking my partner awake, saying, ‘This is going to change everything – and this is what I want to do,’” she recalls.
That turning point led to the creation of AI Her Way in 2023 – a consultancy dedicated to helping organisations harness AI as a lever for scalable impact. Initially focused on education and empowerment with a focus on women, the consultancy quickly evolved into a full-service firm offering executive coaching, AI policy development, staff training, and bespoke automations. “Our goal isn’t to drop in, build tools, and disappear,” says Sweaney. “It’s to embed AI capabilities and leave organisations stronger and more self-sufficient.”
“Companies don’t realise how biased AI can be. From gendered career advice to AI-generated content that reinforces stereotypes…”
Dr Nici Sweaney
The company’s superpower? Ethics are not an afterthought – they’re embedded from the ground up. Sweaney’s expertise in ethical research design and her work with under-represented communities have shaped Ai Her Way’s commitment to responsible innovation. “Most companies don’t realise how biased AI can be,” she explains. “From gendered career advice to AI-generated content that reinforces stereotypes – if women aren’t shaping these tools, we risk being erased by them.”
And the stakes are high. According to Sweaney, companies embracing AI can double their cash flow by 2030, while laggards risk becoming obsolete. But for women, the urgency is even greater.
“Less than 30% of the machine learning workforce are women, and men are twice as likely to be using gen AI as women,” she says. “Yet AI has the power to either reinforce systemic inequities – or correct them, if we get involved.”
Ai Her Way has already worked with over 60 organisations, including global NGOs, governments, and values-led enterprises. Whether it’s redesigning a company’s internal AI systems or helping a small business save on staff hours, the results speak for themselves. “We aim for a six- to seven-figure ROI in the first six months,” says Sweaney. “We’re helping women and organisations reclaim power in an AI-driven world.”
As AI continues to reshape society, Sweaney’s message is clear: this isn’t about tech savviness – it’s about leadership. “AI will be embedded in everything,” she warns. “If we wait, we lose ground. But if women lead with AI, we don’t just catch up – we change the game.”
Learn more at aiherway.com.au
