This Mother’s Day, I have been reflecting on the woman who taught me some of my earliest lessons about discipline, integrity, accountability, and responsibility long before I ever worked in data, analytics, or AI.
Before completing her master’s degree at Syracuse University, my mother began her career at 19 as a stenographer and secretary in an era of manual typewriters, shorthand, filing systems, and carbon copies.
She earned Pitman certifications in typing and shorthand, along with Royal Society of Arts certifications in both disciplines.
There was no autocorrect, or “undo” button, or algorithm quietly flagging mistakes in the background.
There was only practice, precision, and accountability.
As a child, I remember hearing the rhythmic “clackity-clack” of her typewriter keys late into the evening. At the time, I did not fully understand what I was witnessing but now I do. I was watching someone treat information with care.
Every diction, letter and record was important.
Long before we spoke about “data governance,” “human-in-the-loop systems,” or “Responsible AI,” there were people like my mother ensuring institutions could function because information could be trusted.
In many ways, the values we are trying to reintroduce into AI systems are not new at all. They are deeply human values: discipline, stewardship, trust, accountability, responsibility, and care for the downstream impact of our actions.
My mother is now in her 80s, and while technology has changed dramatically, the responsibilities attached to information have not.
To my mother and to all mothers whose labour, sacrifice, wisdom, and quiet discipline shaped generations, often without recognition, I say thank you.
Happy Mother’s Day.