Empowering Women in Tech: Women, AI and the Future of Work

Last week, I had the privilege of leading a Woman in Tech workshop on Women, AI, and the Future of Work, exploring the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities we face as technology reshapes our workplaces.

Artificial intelligence is no longer “the future” - it's here, transforming recruitment, customer service, productivity tools, and decision-making processes across industries. Whilst AI brings great potential, it can also replicate human bias if not designed ethically, which can disadvantage women and other minorities, and reduce business effectiveness.

During the session, we covered:

  • How AI is changing work: from automated hiring tools to AI-driven productivity systems

  • Gender bias in AI: case studies like Amazon’s hiring algorithm show how biased systems can exclude talented women, underscoring that AI ethics isn’t just a moral concern - it’s a business imperative

  • Jobs at risk vs. emerging roles: admin, data entry, and customer support roles are being automated, while opportunities in AI ethics, prompt engineering, and algorithm auditing are growing

  • AI and online harms: deepfakes, AI-powered harassment, and workplace surveillance require vigilance and proactive policy

  • How women can lead in AI: upskilling, mentorship, ethical governance, and advocacy are key to shaping a fairer tech ecosystem

Key takeaways from the session:

  1. AI is a powerful tool - but only equitable when women and diverse voices help shape it.

  2. Bias-aware data practices and inclusive design are essential for fair outcomes.

  3. Women have enormous opportunities to pivot into AI-related roles and lead ethical innovation.

  4. Ethical AI isn’t just “the right thing to do” - it ensures better business outcomes, protects talent, and builds trust.

I left the session inspired by the enthusiasm, ideas, and engagement of our participants. It reinforced for me that the future of AI isn’t something that happens to us - it’s something we create.

Let’s continue this conversation - If you’re passionate about women in tech, AI ethics, or shaping inclusive workplaces, I’d love to connect and exchange ideas. Together, we can ensure that technology empowers everyone, everywhere.