Keep Your Tech Flame Alive: Akamai Trailblazer Agata Cupriak

Curiosity and people-centered communication have defined my career path. I started in journalism and later transitioned to PR, helping one of Poland’s major online retailers introduce ecommerce. It was an unfamiliar concept for many people , and was complicated by rising phishing and scam sites, so my role involved educating consumers on safe online shopping. This sparked my interest in the technology behind ecommerce and taught me the value of clear messaging.

Later, as I balanced family life with copywriting for a remote agency, the evolution of PR and marketing led me to content marketing and IT. The move felt natural; despite my humanities background, I was captivated by the rapid growth in IT and the demand for relatable, human-focused communication. My path demonstrates the importance of adaptability and the need for clear, people-oriented messaging to connect technology with everyday users.

When I was starting out, I found roles for which my experience in understanding audiences and explaining ideas clearly helped connect technical and nontechnical teams. My first tech role was with a B2C startup that was developing an app for smart shopping, so my understanding of ecommerce gave me a leg up.

From there, I transitioned to a B2B no-code startup that empowered nontech users to build apps, which let me use storytelling to make complex ideas accessible to everyone involved. Each step has been about building on what I know and constantly learning what I don’t. Now, at Akamai, I get to bring it all together in customer advocacy — combining my love for storytelling, tech, and amplifying the customer’s voice.

The biggest challenge in transitioning to IT was convincing myself I could thrive in a tech-heavy space without a technical background. I had to prove to myself that I could understand complex topics by approaching them as a journalist — asking the right questions and truly understanding my audience. 

I remember one interview in which they asked if I could write about Kubernetes. At that point, my knowledge was … well, thin, to say the least. But I replied confidently, “Of course! You’re the expert; I’m the messenger.” That mindset helped me overcome the intimidation of entering IT.

Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to connect with industry professionals through platforms like LinkedIn. Engage with their content, ask questions, and participate in discussions. Attending tech meetups and networking events can also help you expand your connections and gain insights from those already in the field. 

Look for people who will inspire you and push you to grow. At each career stage, someone directed me to the next one — this is how I found my interest in AI.

What excites me most about working in tech is the opportunity to bridge the gap between complex technology and people who don’t work in the tech field. Through customer advocacy, I help provide clear, authentic feedback, which is especially rewarding as today’s consumers — and B2B buyers — value transparency and genuine connection over hard selling.

After studying AI, I joined a nonprofit focused on ethical AI development, which has been eye-opening. Technology impacts our daily lives in ways we often overlook, so helping people, especially younger generations, understand it better feels incredibly satisfying.

People with humanities backgrounds bring essential perspectives to tech by asking the big questions and keeping innovation grounded in human needs. Tech isn’t just about progress for progress’s sake; it affects every part of society, from social media to AI and beyond. Non-STEM voices can help ensure that these technologies serve people responsibly. 

Today, technology drives nearly every industry, so there’s a strong need for diverse viewpoints to shape solutions that genuinely benefit all of us. If you're from a nontechnical background, this is the perfect time to get involved — your perspective is valuable.

Some of my biggest role models in tech are actually from the humanities, which is part of why they resonate with me so much. Five years ago, I attended a conference where Professor Aleksandra Przegalińska, a Polish philosopher and AI researcher, gave a talk that blew my mind — it was the first time I truly saw how exciting and impactful tech could be. That experience inspired me to dive into AI studies and start exploring the field more deeply.

Two American authors also shaped my path: Amy Webb, who wrote The Big Nine and made me think about how our values shape the future of technology, and Sherry Turkle, whose Alone Together explores how tech can distance us from one another when we need real connection. 

It’s funny that three women, all with humanities backgrounds, drew me into the tech industry — a field often seen as male-dominated and super technical. They made me realize there’s a huge place for nontechnical female voices in tech.