International Women’s Day: AI leaders call on breaking systemic barriers and bias
International Women’s Day 2026 is a reminder that as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological innovation reshapes entire industries, equal representation in the rooms where decisions are made has never mattered more.
We speak to female AI leaders on what it takes to build equitable AI innovation intentionally and without bias, through sponsorship, measurable goals, inclusive product design, flexible work structures and the courage to challenge outdated norms.
The future of women in technology
Caitlin Stephens (pictured), Chief of Staff APAC, Eagle Eye
International Women’s Day for me is less of just a celebration and more of an opportunity to pause and reflect on the progress that has been made, the work yet to be done, and a reminder of our responsibility as leaders to ensure that the momentum keeps building when it comes to inclusivity, representation and the removal of systemic barriers that women may face in our industry.
Technology shapes many aspects of our daily lives – how businesses grow, how customers engage with products and even how decisions are made through data and AI. That makes representation within the sector incredibly important.
It’s also crucial to pause and recognise that whilst there is a way to go in terms of creating full inclusivity and equity, there has been significant progress. There are increasing numbers of impressive women leaders in the tech sector and this visibility is very important in shaping the future of what the tech sector looks like.
Seeing women leading in engineering, product, operations or commercial strategy changes what feels possible for the next generation of women and girls entering work, especially in tech or tech-adjacent industries.
On the surface the barriers may feel more subtle in today’s corporate world, but they’re real. Access and representation at the executive level and commercial sponsorship is still not evenly distributed. When women do have a seat at the table, our leadership styles and performance expectations can still be judged differently.
In quickly evolving areas like AI and technology in general, these types of representation gaps risk shaping products in ways that don’t fully reflect the diverse people they are designed to serve.
True justice comes from dismantling bias in AI and emerging tech
Kathy Lu, Account Manager, Client Services, Nexxen
Equity in innovation means designing systems with fairness, and ensuring AI reflects the diversity and values of the society it serves, where “all are equal before the law”.
Action is turning that belief into reality. I am an advocate for female leaders and for mentoring the next generation of young women and girls into leadership in tech. Taking action ensures the next generation of women and girls in STEM can thrive without the barriers that still exist today, to look at a career in tech without scrutiny or judgement.
I want to look into the future career progression and know I have the rights to equal access, so that women like me can contribute meaningfully without having to justify our presence at every step.
International Women’s Day is important to celebrate no matter what industry we are in, it fosters a culture of inclusion, empowering women to speak up and advocate for themselves.
It becomes most poignant in the tech and ad-tech industry, as we are helping to shape the future world we live in. To programmatic media easing the process to selling and buying digital ad spaces, to tools like Meta AI, Galaxy AI ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Apple Intelligence, Claude (and so on and so forth) helping us write better emails and drive better outcomes, advocating for women’s voice amongst the madness is more important than ever.
Celebrating International Women’s Day shines a light to women in tech, inspiring the next generation whilst reinforcing the importance of building ethical and inclusive technology. Recognising women’s contributions strengthens the industry’s ability to retain talent and reduce attrition among women in tech.
AI and the career pathways for women
Pip Stocks, Director, Pip Stocks Consulting
It is important to look at balancing the scales in women’s careers as a whole in the age of AI. AI is removing many traditional entry-level jobs especially the repetitive, process-driven roles that used to be a young person’s way in. Pretending otherwise doesn’t help anyone.
The real question is whether we respond with fear or redesign. We need to stop preparing young women for ladder-based careers and start preparing them to build, direct, and collaborate with AI.
The future belongs to those who can think critically, create value, and use intelligent systems as leverage, not those waiting for permission to enter through old doors.
Design the systems that are sustainable
Dr Anna Harrison, Founder, RAMMP
We talk about AI bias, algorithmic fairness, venture funding gaps. All real issues. But underneath it sits something far more basic: time. Cognitive bandwidth. Freedom from default domestic responsibility.
We can debate venture funding percentages and AI governance – and we absolutely should. But until domestic labour is culturally redistributed, leadership pipelines will continue to leak.
You can write policy all day long. But if one parent is still the default for school lunches, sick days, permission slips and emotional logistics, the scales are already tipped. Technology doesn’t fix imbalance. It amplifies whatever already exists.
Real change is creating networking formats that don’t default to masculine-coded rituals and teaching our sons to share the load, and make killer sandwiches.
“Balance the scales” to me means designing systems, at home and at work, where neither side collapses under assumed obligation.
What accelerates real, tangible change?
Sarah Richardson, Founder and Director at Australian Loyalty Association
In our industry, lot has changed in loyalty because women have had a seat at the table. Loyalty used to be much simpler. When I started, mobile phones were hardly in operation. Now it’s about understanding the complex customer journey, commercial modelling, relevance, data, personalisation, emotional connection and AI.
Real, tangible change comes from backing women to trust their judgement, giving them space to shine, and removing systemic barriers. Our business is like a rollercoaster. Hang on tight or jump off. I choose to hang on to see the next chapter of this wonderful journey and to work with the exceptional women and people on our team.
Change needs proactive energy
Caitlin Stephens, Chief of Staff APAC, Eagle Eye
Change requires an intentional and proactive approach to ensure women receive access to the same opportunities. Who gets recommended for the stretch assignment? Who gets introduced to the investor? Who gets amplified in a meeting?
One of the most powerful tools I have in leadership is the ability to provide sponsorship, to be someone who highlights and amplifies the talents of women based on their merits and unique perspectives and to back this up with policies, and structures within organisations that aim to remove some of the traditional barriers that can hold them back. Think parental leave, flexibility, Women’s ERGs and our very own “Purple Women” initiative at Eagle Eye, mentorship and leadership development.
