Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” Women have made their marks over the past century, dominating every sector. The tech industry is no exception, where women’s contributions are not only significant but increasingly visible. Women have risen to break gender bias and shape the future of tech and AI.

The gender imbalance we often see in tech is more a reflection of old trends that haven’t been fully addressed yet rather than the industry’s true nature. Despite the tech industry still being predominantly male in many areas (particularly in leadership roles), the field of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is an inclusive one. 

Indeed, there is a strong economic and innovation argument for increasing women’s participation in AI policy. Studies have shown that diverse teams make better decisions and produce more substantial outcomes. A world where women are included more will be a world where women shape Tech and AI more positively

Women Shaping the Future of AI and Tech

Some examples of women shaping the future of AI and tech Include:

1. Cristina Junqueira– Christina is the co-founder of Nubank, a Brazilian digital banking platform, Junqueira has revolutionized banking by offering zero-fee credit cards managed via mobile apps. Nubank has grown to over 114 million clients globally and is valued at $50 billion Since its inception in 2013. Junqueira advocates for diversity within the company, promoting women’s representation in leadership roles.
2. American computer scientist and entrepreneur Carol E. Reiley is credited with developing the first teleoperated and autonomous robot systems for use in self-driving cars, space exploration, surgery, and disaster relief. She is currently the CEO of a healthcare startup and was a co-founder and president of Drive.ai, an AI self-driving car company. In addition to being the first female engineer to appear on the cover of MAKE magazine, Reiley is a published author of children’s books.
3. “The Mother of the Internet” is a common moniker for Radia Perlman. The Spanning Tree Protocol, which is essential for network communications, was created by Perlman. Her contributions have laid the groundwork for the evolution of network protocols and the general architecture of the Internet.
4. As the first female CEO of IBM, Ginni Rometty spearheaded developments in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data. She cleared the path for more women in leadership roles by advocating for diversity and inclusion within the organisation.
5. Grace Murray Hopper: Hopper was instrumental in the development of COBOL, an early programming language, and created early compilers. Her contributions to computer science and software development have had a long-lasting effect.

Important Obstacles Women Face in Their Efforts to Positively Influence Technology

For a variety of reasons, it is imperative to address the challenges women in tech face. We must remove obstacles and build a future in which women who want to work in technology don’t feel excluded or judged, where they have confidence in their skills and can take advantage of opportunities to advance, and where they can observe other women positively influencing technology in their workplace.

Among the difficulties they encounter are imposter syndrome, lack of female role models, gender bias, lack of representation, and pay disparity, among many others.

The Role of Education in Enabling Women Make Significant Changes

Change can be accomplished only by changing the operating systems of our institutions. Curriculums have to be taken seriously and there should be a gender approach to learning. Additional funding and establishing quotas in institutions are required in order to monitor gender equality and create a culture of success for women in STEM.

Education is a very important tool for empowering women within the tech industry. By investing in education, we close the skills gap and equip women with adequate technical know-how. Education not only instills confidence but also promotes diversity of thoughts. Through STEM education initiatives and targeted training programs, we create pathways for women to advance in their careers. This will help them break barriers and unlock their full potential in shaping the tech world positively. Ultimately, investing in education is not just an investment in individual women but in the collective future of the tech industry. Investing in education will also cultivate a workforce that is inclusive and optimized for continuous innovations.