Something really great is happening in high-rise corporate offices, where innovation never sleeps and coffee is always brewing. Gone are the days when technology was just for marathons and sleepless nights coding. Now we’re talking about flexible working hours, remote work, and truly promoting diversity and inclusion. It’s not just a story. It’s happening, and it’s changing the landscape for women in tech.
Take it from Jaya Virwani, Global Ethics and DE&I Leader at EY GDS. She has witnessed the transition from the days of rigid follow-her-work hours to an era where work-life balance is no longer just a buzzword. it’s part of the culture. Does she have any advice for newcomers? Set boundaries and don’t budge. Oh, and find a supportive mentor to support you and guide you through the technological maze.
Anjali Sinha, Head of People Success, India, Publicis Sapient, adds a new element to this combo. What she values is vague boundaries. Just to be clear, it’s not about the song, it’s about how we are juggling work and personal life right now. It’s no longer the 9-to-5 grind of old. It’s about finding something that fits your life and schedule. And for women, especially those responsible for the bulk of caregiving, this flexibility is a game-changer.
Ivana Bartoletti, chief privacy and AI governance officer at Wipro, points to the problem that only 22% of AI professionals are women. It’s not just a missed opportunity. It’s a problem for everyone. AI without women’s input? It’s like trying to clap with one hand. We are missing out on half of the world’s ideas, innovations, and perspectives.
“AI’s full potential cannot be realized unless half of the world’s population has an equal opportunity to participate in AI development. In most countries, girls are performing as well as boys in science. However, only 22 percent of the global AI workforce is female, which is deeply problematic for three reasons: Girls have limited access to fast-growing careers and direct participation in shaping AI systems. Women will bear the brunt of the destruction caused by AI because of the lack of access to shaping it. Companies will need to focus on developing role models and female leadership to ensure a more inclusive approach to AI.Second, by embracing responsible AI, privacy, We need to defend equality, human rights, and it’s built into every piece of AI that is manufactured and deployed,” Bartoletti said. And he also has Infosys, who is ramping up its #SpotItToStopIt campaign for International Women’s Day 2024. They don’t just talk. They are working on initiatives aimed at developing careers for women in technology. Her Aruna C. Newton, Vice President and Head of Diversity and Inclusion, ESG Governance and Reporting at Infosys, announced a series of programs designed to uplift the women who are shaping the future of technology. We are committed to celebrating through.
However, it’s not all about corporate speeches and initiatives. It’s about changing the culture from within. Smriti Mathur, senior director and head of human resources at Pega India, and Sarada Vempati, head of technology for Fargo’s enterprise division in India and the Philippines at Wells, are on the same page. They are seeing the world of technology evolve into a place where diversity is not just good ethics, but good business. It’s about creating a space where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, share experiences, and yes, grow.
And don’t forget about men.
Remus Lim, Cloudera’s senior vice president of Asia Pacific and Japan, reminds us that inclusivity is on everyone’s agenda. It’s about leading, listening and creating pathways for women to succeed in leadership.
“Recently, Cloudera has promoted several women leaders in the region, including roles such as Country Leader in Singapore and Indonesia. Most importantly, we need to be open and willing to do whatever it takes for our employees to move forward. We found it important to listen to what customers need. By collecting feedback, we learned how to help customers use their data more effectively and to better engage them. and derive insights into how we can support them,” he says.
