At the 2025 Dynamic Awards, at the prestigious Grand Hotel in Brighton, Mary Kemp received the Women in Tech Award, recognising her outstanding contribution to the technology sector.
The awards, held in May, celebrate the remarkable achievements of businesswomen across the South-East, and were organised by the Platinum Business Awards as part of a broader celebration of excellence across various industries.
Sponsored by the Surrey & Sussex Institute of Technology (SSIoT), the Women in Tech Award underscores SSIoT’s commitment to driving innovation, fostering diversity, and promoting equal opportunities within tech education and the wider industry.
Mary Kemp is a respected AI expert and co-founder of AI Potential and Simpler with AI. She is known for making artificial intelligence more accessible and practical, particularly for start-ups, small businesses, and female entrepreneurs across the South East of England. Mary has become synonymous with artificial intelligence, earning the nickname ‘AI Mary’ within the region’s business community.
Mary’s work to make AI accessible, combined with her commitment to local education and innovation, reflects the values championed at SSIoT. Her achievements offer inspiration to students and professionals alike, encouraging more people – especially women – to explore the possibilities of a career in technology.
Mary spoke about her career in AI, mission to simplify complex technologies, and her views on the future of accessible innovation in the tech industry.
For more information about Mary Kemp and her work, visit AI Potential or Simpler with AI.
Q&A with Mary Kemp – 2025 Women in Tech Award Winner
1. Congratulations on your Women in Tech Award. What does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?
It’s a huge honour, but for me it’s not really about the award. It’s about what it represents. This says: making AI simple and useful for real businesses matters. That message is getting through. And that’s what drives everything we do at AI Potential. We’re here to make sure business owners don’t get left behind in the AI wave. They lead it.
2. As co-founder of AI Potential, you’ve been at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into business strategies. What inspired you to embark on this journey?
To be honest, we realised our own business would be disrupted if we didn’t change. So we got ahead of it.We went all in. We saw GenAI not as a threat, but as an opportunity to help others make the leap too. Most business owners don’t need more tools. They need clarity and a plan. That’s what we give them.
3. You actively engage with local education and business communities. How do you see the role of collaboration in fostering innovation and inclusivity in tech?
AI isn’t something you “get good at” in isolation. It works best when it’s shared. That’s why collaboration is everything. Whether it’s working with councils, colleges or community groups, we know that when people learn together, they move faster and further. If AI is going to be truly inclusive, it needs to be built with everyone in mind, not just the usual suspects.
4. At SSIoT, we’re committed to making tech education more accessible. What advice would you offer to young women considering a career in the tech sector?
Don’t wait until you feel ‘qualified’. You learn by doing, failing, and doing again. The secret is, nobody knows everything. Start with curiosity, take small steps, and find people who get what you’re aiming for. Tech needs more women, but more than that, it needs your thinking. This isn’t about fitting in. It’s about helping shape what comes next. Be visible.
5. Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of artificial intelligence and its wider impact on society?
I want to see AI used as a leveller. GenAI is the biggest shift we’ve seen, it is now being called the 4th industrial revolution.However, it only works for people if they know how to use it. That’s why we keep saying, GenAI is a skill, not a tool. If we treat it that way, it empowers everyone, not just the biggest companies. The future isn’t about robots replacing people. It’s about people doing their best work, with AI as their co-pilot.