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Shattering Silicon Ceilings: Women Reboot Tech's Future
This is your Women in Business podcast.
Welcome back to Women in Business. I’m your host, diving right into today’s episode: women navigating the current economic landscape, especially in the tech industry. Let’s talk candidly about where we stand, what’s changing, and how women are forging ahead even when the odds seem stacked.
Here’s what’s striking in 2025: despite all the progress, women remain a minority in tech’s workforce. If you look at tech juggernauts like Amazon, only 45% of employees are women. At Apple and Google, it’s roughly a third. Now, climb the ladder and the numbers dip further. Microsoft, for instance, has only about a quarter of its senior leadership roles filled by women. It’s not just about numbers—this is about representation at the pivotal decision-making tables.
But here’s the heart of the challenge: women face barriers well beyond hiring. Data from the WomenTech Network shows women are 1.6 times more likely to be laid off—a jarring statistic, especially after a year of mass tech layoffs where nearly 70% of those affected were women. This isn’t a numbers game; it’s a lived reality shaping women’s career trajectories, financial stability, and aspirations.
And yet, women are not merely staying afloat—they’re transforming the landscape, often by necessity. In Chicago and Detroit, for example, 40 to 50% of startups have at least one female founder. Female founders are bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions into play, often with fewer resources but even more drive. The message is clear: When women aren’t invited in, they’re building their own doors.
The evolution of technology itself is another major force at work. Generative AI is remaking not just how we work, but who gets to shape the future. A recent Boston Consulting Group study shows that over two-thirds of women in tech use generative AI at work regularly—higher than the reported usage among men. Deloitte predicts women’s use of generative AI will match or surpass men’s by the end of the year. This shows women are not just keeping up, but in some cases, leading the digital transformation.
Yet, rapid change brings new challenges. The gender pay gap is stubborn; studies reveal women in tech often accept less compensation than men for the same roles—sometimes settling for 95 cents on the dollar. Add to this the stark reality that only about 8% to 9% of leadership roles like Chief Technology Officer or IT manager at the biggest firms are held by women. Mentorship opportunities, workplace culture, and policies that truly support work-life balance are all key areas that still need bold action. The numbers also highlight that nearly half of women in tech leave the field by age 35, citing lack of advancement and unsupportive environments.
So today’s discussion lands on five key points: ongoing underrepresentation in tech companies; layoffs and economic instability’s disproportionate impact; the surge of female founders reshaping entrepreneurship; the need for re-skilling to keep pace with AI-driven change; and the critical importance of inclusive cultures that support growth and equity.
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Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago