We joined Anasol to understand what it means to be an AI and Immersive Tech Research Specialist at BT based at Adastral Park.

Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Anasol and I’m a Research Manager in AI & Optimisation.

The idea of shaping the future of new technologies is very attractive to me. I was 8 when I got my first computer, and that was when I got interested in technology. When I grew up I saw all the different possibilities in technology and I started exploring fields like artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) to understand how to apply them in real-life situations.

What did you do before?
I got my bachelor degree in Mexico and worked over there for 4 years. I wanted to continue my studies and I had this idea of study in the UK so looked for options to do a master’s degree. After finishing the masters, my supervisor from the University of Essex presented me with an opportunity to continue my development with a PhD course. For my post-doc, I led a Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP), which is a UK Government part-funded initiative to transfer knowledge from universities to industry via early-career researchers. This programme is how I came to work for BT.

Are you part of any professional groups?
Yes, I’m a Senior member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and I also do academic work with numerous organisations working on applications of immersive technologies in education and training.

What are your ambitions and passions for your career?
I have a passion for virtual and augmented reality and connecting people who can’t be together in person. I’m also interested in emerging technology and how it will shape the future. There are a lot of opportunities and I feel like I’m helping to create a path to potential benefits and opportunities for people.

Tell us about a project you’re currently working on
I work in Applied Research looking at augmented reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how they can help our field force to be more efficient. The idea is to provide people with the right tools and information that they need from afar. For example, immersive training can be useful in times like these when people can’t travel and it’s difficult to access necessary equipment. This project was awarded an IET Innovation Award in 2018, and I was recently presented with the 2020 #TechWomen100 award for women working in STEM.