Women in Tech have been making significant strides alongside the industry’s biggest players. However, over the past two decades, the tech world has been reshaped by a new breed of changemakers—billionaires who have revolutionised entire industries and redefined how we live and do business. Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Tim Cook are more than just business magnates; they are the driving forces behind an era of unprecedented transformation. Through Facebook, Amazon, Google, Tesla, Microsoft, and Apple, they have reshaped economies, altered global markets, and even influenced political landscapes. Their combined wealth is estimated to be just shy of $1 trillion, demonstrating the scale of their impact.

Low Representation of Women in Tech

Despite the transformation led by these tech titans, the industry still faces many critical issues, including a low representation of women in tech, highlighting a significant gender gap. The Tech Talent Charter has pointed out in their recent report that women make up only 29% of the tech employees, with challenges like gender bias, limited flexible work options, and caregiving responsibilities holding back their progress in the sector.

While the achievements of women like Sheryl Sandberg, Susan Wojcicki, Ginni Rometty, and Ruth Porat, CFO of Alphabet, are notable, they remain exceptions in a field still largely dominated by men at the top. The age of AI is giving us new tools and opportunities that may help to create a more balanced, inclusive future for women in tech.

The Opportunity: Empowering Women to Transform Tech

So, what can we do to address this? As of 2024, The value of the UK’s tech industry is somewhat estimated to be around £800 billion. We’re slowly seeing more women succeed in the field, but we’d love to see even more to unleash a fresh wave of creativity and innovation.

Women don’t just belong at the table, but the real question is: how big is the table, and who’s standing at the door? To fully realise this opportunity, companies must prioritise creating inclusive, flexible, and supportive environments that foster women’s career progression. Addressing systemic biases, and offering better work-life balance options, businesses should create clear paths for skills development and career advancement, while measuring progress to ensure gender equality is being achieved. Governments also have a key role to play—by incentivising and investing in homegrown talent, and holding companies accountable for practices that hinder domestic workforce growth.

So, what are the opportunities for women in the age of AI?

The possibilities seem vast and exciting! From programming and software development to data science and AI research, women can lead and innovate in many areas. Skills in machine learning engineering, project management, user experience (UX) design, ethical AI, and AI product management are highly valuable. Women can also excel in AI training, consulting, and entrepreneurship within AI-driven startups.

A pressing concern arises: Can education deploy these vital skills swiftly enough to meet such an important need? Is the industry truly ready and willing to reskill ‘hidden’ talent?

It’s time we recognise that leadership today must not only embrace rapid technological advances and the AI revolution but also adapt to changing team dynamics and consumer expectations. Leaders must enhance cultural awareness and foster inclusivity. As we build the ‘table’ for the future, let’s create equal opportunities that truly reflect our society for the era ahead.

Empowering women to lead and innovate isn’t just about fairness—it’s about fuelling the economic growth that will propel the tech industry into the future.

The Power of Data: Measuring Diversity for Greater Impact

Data is key to unlocking inclusion in the workplace. By measuring and tracking the cultural and demographic composition of their workforce, clients, vendors and audiences, companies can make informed, strategic decisions that contribute to their bottom line and to a more socially sustainable world. At Davos 2025, leaders seemed to be gradually understanding the value of a diversity of perspectives at the decision-making table.

As a proud media partner of Tech Show London 2025, Diversity Atlas is committed to advancing the conversation on cultural cross-pollination in tech. Together, we can help shape a future where innovation, inclusivity, including gender equality, are not just goals, but the reality of an industry that affects us all.

Join me and the Diversity Atlas Team next month! Register fo your FREE ticket NOW and come visit us at stand BD005! For more info about the event, visit the official website

To watch last year’s panel session on “Diversity in the Age of AI” moderated by our CEO & Founder Peter Mousaferiadis, click here