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Shattering the Silicon Ceiling: Women Rewriting Tech's Rules
This is your Women in Business podcast.
Welcome to Women in Business. Today, I invite you to join me as we break down the current economic moment for women in the tech industry—a sector that's rewriting the rules at warp speed. Let’s dive right into the reality: despite making up nearly half the workforce overall, women only fill about a quarter of jobs in tech and STEM, and when you zoom in on leadership, those numbers shrink even further. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Women in Tech report, companies like Google, Apple, and Meta see women in just 25% of technical roles, and globally, less than 20% of tech leadership positions are held by women. Progress is happening, but it’s far from enough.
Right now, the first big discussion point is representation and access. The numbers are slowly moving in the right direction, with women steadily increasing their presence—up to 27% in the tech sector today. But why does the pace feel glacial? Systemic barriers like unconscious bias and less access to mentorship still shape who gets hired, who gets promoted, and who feels they belong. This disparity isn’t just in the U.S. Globally, only about 23% of tech roles are held by women, with even fewer represented in future-defining fields like artificial intelligence.
Which brings us directly to the second point: the AI and skills gap. Emerging technologies like AI are reshaping everything from healthcare to retail, and companies are racing to keep up. Yet about 60% of women in tech aren’t using AI at work right now. That’s a red flag, especially when 75% of all companies expect to ramp up AI investments in just the next few years. Those who are using these tools—according to Skillsoft’s 2024 Women in Tech report—are reporting better productivity and more streamlined workdays. Investing in tech training, especially around AI, isn’t just a career advantage for women; it’s protection against being outpaced as the next wave of tech jobs emerges.
That transitions us into the third discussion: remote work and workplace flexibility. Remote work changed the game during the pandemic and opened doors for many women. But it’s a double-edged sword. Women are still disproportionately impacted by layoffs, and burnout remains a huge issue. Balancing flexible work with meaningful inclusion and advancement opportunities is a puzzle companies are only beginning to solve.
Let’s look at leadership and entrepreneurship next. Only about 17% of tech companies have women CEOs, and only 8% have female CTOs. Women-led startups and mentorship programs are crucial, but they need more resources, more visibility, and more investment. It’s not just about raising these numbers—it’s about the innovation and perspective we’re missing by not having more women at the top.
And finally, my fifth point: intersectionality. The lived experience of a woman in tech isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether we’re talking about race, ethnicity, disability, or sexuality, intersecting identities amplify both challenges and opportunities. Addressing the barriers faced by all women—and giving a platform to diverse voices—is essential for building true equity in the industry.
As we wrap up, I challenge my listeners to think about your own role in this evolving landscape. Are you investing in your digital skills? Are you mentoring another woman? Are you challenging your workplace to be bolder in its diversity efforts?
Thank you for tuning in to Women in Business. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss a conversation that matters. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago