Why Women Risk Missing the AI Revolution | Rewrite The Rules by Ritu G. Mehrish

<p>I met two women who turned a friendship that started in a <strong>Hong Kong maternity ward</strong> into a global mission. </p><p>Christine Fellowes, former media CEO and board leader, and <strong>April Swando Hu</strong>, a Yale engineer turned <strong>EdTech entrepreneur</strong>, are now co-founders of <strong>NINEby9</strong>, a nonprofit tackling <strong>gender equality, AI, and the future of work</strong> in Asia.</p><p>In this episode of <strong>Rewrite the Rules</strong>, they share how decades of leadership across Asia led them to research <strong>AI and women in the workplace</strong>, revealing a surprising gender gap in AI skills and opportunities.</p><p>We talk about <strong>AI careers, leadership, gender equality, and the future of work</strong>, and why women could shape the next wave of <strong>AI innovation and workplace transformation</strong>.</p><p>Trust me, you’ll want to hear the full story behind <strong>NINEby9</strong> and their bold mission to close the gender gap before AI widens it.</p><p><strong>IN THIS EPISODE</strong></p><p>00:00 | Meet the Founders Changing Women’s Futures01:26 | Why “Nine by Nine” Matters Now</p><p>02:36 | The Unexpected Way They Met</p><p>04:35 | The AI Report Everyone Should Read05:12 | April’s Journey from Engineer to Changemaker</p><p>06:59 | Christine’s Path to Global Leadership</p><p>09:06 | The Surprising Truth About Women at Work</p><p>15:04 | The AI Skills Gap Women Can’t Ignore</p><p>18:57 | Speed vs Ethics in the AI Workplace</p><p>19:52 | Asia’s Biggest AI Opportunity</p><p>22:04 | Why HR Must Become Human Again</p><p>23:04 | Career Advice for Women 25–35</p><p>24:40 | Why Your Skills and Network Matter</p><p>26:05 | Get Sponsors, Not Just Mentors</p><p>26:43 | Staying Grounded in a Changing World</p><p>28:32 | The Rule They Chose to Rewrite</p><p>30:06 | Redefining Success on Your Terms</p><p>31:18 | What’s Next for Nine by Nine</p><p>33:16 | Where to Find the AI Report<br /></p><p><strong>Christine Fellowes | Founder | NINEby9</strong></p><p>Christine is an accomplished global business leader and public company board director with three decades of experience driving growth for Fortune 500 multinationals in media, technology and consumer services.</p><p>Christine is the Co-founder and Chair of NINEby9, and currently serves as a Non-Executive Board Director of National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) and leading property investment and development company, Guocoland Group (SGX:F17), listed on the Si