Latest news with #womenintech
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber on Vancouver, customization and the future of social media
On opening night of the much-anticipated Web Summit conference's first year in Vancouver, the convention centre's main event space was jam-packed with attendees eager to hear from a tech superstar. Jay Graber may not be a household name, but the CEO of the Bluesky social media platform is one of the most high-profile women in the tech world and has a bold new vision for the future of social networking that could revolutionize how we connect with other humans – and maybe even make it fun again. CTV News had a few moments to speak with Graber backstage after her centre stage discussion on 'The Next Era of Social Media' and quickly discovered the Seattle resident is not stranger to Vancouver. 'I actually love it,' she said. 'I find it so interesting how it's this other city on the other side of the Salish Sea and there's a lot of similarities to Seattle, but it's also very different.' The entrepreneur has become a heroic figure for some social media users weary of the deterioration of online discourse and enthusiastic about her platform, which has been hailed as a potential 'Twitter Killer.' What is Bluesky, exactly? Any time Graber speaks about her company, she inevitably has to describe how Bluesky is different from other microblogging platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Threads. The structure of the technology puts it in a position for other developers to design new interfaces or themes or areas of focus with the same user profile and followers. It's this flexibility and 'sky's the limit' ideology that Graber believes could usher in a whole new era of social media where users have more control over what they see and how by choosing algorithms built by different developers, for example. 'The long-term vision is that the atmosphere, the broader ecosystem of all these apps being built around Bluesky – some of them interacting with Bluesky, some of them being built more on top of it, and some of them being completely their own thing – can all start to flourish and kick off an era of innovation in social that we haven't seen in a long time,' she said. New users flock to the 'sky' It's a huge goal for an app that had been invite-only until last year, but new users signed up in droves after the U.S. election, and the platform continues to gain momentum. One of those new sign-ups was an account for Mark Carney, which popped up when he was still the Liberal leader. While his staff continue to use X, he is now the first Canadian prime minister to use Bluesky just as often, and Graber acknowledges that has helped add to the platform's legitimacy. In fact, her staff flagged the account for her early on as they sought to make sure it was, in fact, associated to the real Mark Carney. 'Now we have verifications and the delegated verification system, which means that we're able to start verifying more folks,' Graber said. 'I think it's becoming a better and better place for breaking news and a lot of this is why there's notable people joining.' So does Graber think Bluesky has the principles, flexibility, and foundation to fix or maybe rehabilitate jaded users' relationships with social media? 'We hope so, that's what we're trying to build,' she explained. 'Anyone who decides that, you know, Bluesky out of the box isn't completely what they want can go in and customize it under the hood.' Considering that's not easy for the layperson to do, Graber has an open invitation to fellow entrepreneurs and coders to come up with their own take on the social media experience. '(If) you want to zoom in on something that you like more, you can customize your corner of Bluesky,' she said. 'It can really be a 'choose your own adventure.''
Entrepreneur
3 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Female Representation in Technical Roles in Non Tech Sectors Rise from 1.90% in 2020 to 14% in 2024: TeamLease
Tier-I cities saw greater female representation (15.88 per cent) in tech roles in non-tech sectors compared to tier-II cities where it stood at a mere 7.58 per cent. Between 2023-24, there was a notable increase in female representation in mid and senior-level roles You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. India Inc.'s journey towards gender parity has seen gradual progress, extending even to traditionally male-dominated technical roles in non-tech sectors. However, despite marked improvements, substantial disparities in representation and pay persist. Addressing this, TeamLease Digital, a leading specialised staffing firm in India, has unveiled a detailed analysis focusing on contractual tech roles across non-tech industries. The comprehensive analysis highlights an encouraging trend in the gender composition of India's tech contractual workforce between 2020 and 2024. Female representation surged from 9.51 per cent in 2020 to 27.98 per cent in 2024, reflecting growing momentum for diversity in a space long dominated by men. This shift underscores the increasing recognition of women's contributions to tech roles across non-tech domains and the growing appreciation for diversity in innovation-driven functions. Gender representation within India's contractual tech workforce has undergone a complex evolution. Technical roles in non-tech sectors have showcased a positive narrative since 2020, with steady, albeit gradual improvement in gender parity. As per TeamLease Digital's findings, in 2020, female representation for tech roles in non-tech sectors stood at a mere 1.90 per cent. However, by 2023 and 2024, this reached 11.8 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, indicating a slow but encouraging shift in traditionally male-dominated roles. Despite this progress, female representation in contractual tech roles remains uneven across non-tech industries. While sectors such as BFSI (46.88 per cent women) and Lifesciences & Healthcare (29.58 per cent women) have embraced gender parity, others, such as Manufacturing & Engineering (4.82 per cent women) and Energy (6.25 per cent women), lag behind. On the other hand, sectors such as Automotive have 23.91 per cent female representation. This imbalance is largely attributed to rigid hiring practices, cultural stereotypes, and limited skilling pathways for women in core technical functions. A closer look at the level-based composition of females in tech roles in non-tech sectors reveals a concerning statistic: women's representation in senior roles stands at a mere 3.35 per cent, women in mid-level roles comprise 4.07 per cent, and those in entry-level roles make up 3.03 per cent. This signals a major discrepancy as male dominance considerably surges, and women continue to face challenges in ascending to leadership roles. However, between 2023 and 2024, there has been a noteworthy increase in female representation in mid and senior levels, going from 4.98 per cent in 2023 to 5.14 per cent in 2024 in mid-level roles. Similarly, female representation in senior positions increased from 3.95 per cent in 2023 to 4.86 per cent in 2024, a gradual shift in gender parity, with greater female representation. The Geography Factor TeamLease Digital's analysis reveals that gender representation varies significantly by city tier, underscoring a disparity in opportunities. Overall, tier-I cities have a more gender-diverse workforce than tier-II cities. In technical roles in non-tech sectors, tier-I cities saw a 15.88 per cent female representation, while in tier-II cities, this was reduced by almost half, standing at 7.58 per cent. This imbalance largely stems from biased hiring practices and an underrepresentation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) fields. The gap in female representation also underscores the need for digital literacy initiatives, remote work options, and adequate upskilling/reskilling programs. Commenting on the findings, Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital, said, "The significant rise in female representation in tech roles within non-tech sectors from 1.90 per cent in 2020 to 14 per cent in 2024 reflects a promising shift towards inclusivity. However, persistent gaps in technical skill representation and leadership roles highlight the need for targeted interventions. TeamLease Digital's in-depth analysis sheds light on the gradual increase in gender diversity while highlighting the gaps effectively." Focused intervention, such as tailored upskilling programs and inclusive hiring practices, combined with greater accessibility to resources and opportunities, will play a key role in levelling the playing field and creating equitable work environments across sectors.
Geek Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Geek Wire
Powering the Trillion-Dollar Shift: Honoring 50 Years of Women Who Changed Microsoft—and the World
This year, as Microsoft celebrates its 50th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on not just the products, technology, and breakthroughs that have shaped the world—but the people behind them. Specifically, the thousands of women whose brilliance, courage, and tenacity have powered Microsoft's trillion-dollar shift and helped democratize technology for billions worldwide. Throughout my 25-year career at Microsoft, I've been fortunate to lead, collaborate with, and learn from so many extraordinary women. I've also had countless conversations about the challenges and opportunities we face—whether it's navigating corporate systems, managing emotional labor, or finding our voice in an industry that was not originally built for us. These conversations have changed me. They've shown me how often women's stories remain untold, and how much farther we need to go to build a truly inclusive tech ecosystem. That's why initiatives like the #empowHER50 campaign is so important. This campaign recognizes 50 remarkable women who have shaped Microsoft's success and the broader digital economy. Their stories remind us that true innovation happens when access is democratized and barriers are dismantled. Why I Launched Charged: Women in Action Inspired by the stories and struggles I witnessed over the years, I felt a responsibility to do more. Last year, I launched Charged: Women in Action, a video interview series designed to inspire and empower women—and their allies—to navigate tech careers successfully. This series features conversations with exceptional women leaders across industries and backgrounds. Together, we address real-world challenges like emotional labor, workplace exclusion, leadership burnout, and career roadblocks—topics that aren't often discussed openly but are lived experiences for millions of women in technology. We also spotlight women who are Leveraging Tech for Good, using their expertise to create lasting social and economic impact in underrepresented communities. By surfacing these conversations, I aim to lead by example and advocate for empathetic leadership, inclusive work environments, and tangible solutions to help women thrive—not only in their careers but in their lives. Microsoft's Top 5 Ideas for Democratizing Access & Empowering Women Over the past five decades, Microsoft has pioneered initiatives that go beyond technology to build a more equitable digital economy. Here are five of the most impactful ideas and programs that are shaping the future: 1. Embedding Accessibility at the Core of Innovation Accessibility has been a Microsoft priority since 1995, but under leaders like Jenny Lay-Flurrie, it became an enterprise-wide commitment. Microsoft trains every employee in accessibility and shares that learning with over 5 million people worldwide, ensuring that technology works for everyone—including the 1.3 billion people with disabilities. Innovations like Immersive Reader, Read Aloud, and the Xbox Adaptive Controller are proof that inclusive design benefits all. 2. Investing in Women-Led Economic Access Initiatives Through strategic partnerships like Women in Cloud, co-founded by Chaitra Vedullapalli, Microsoft has generated over $500 million in economic impact for women entrepreneurs and technologists. Over 120,000 women have been supported globally, and over 5,000 women in 80+ countries have earned Microsoft AI and cybersecurity certifications to advance their careers. Women in Cloud is also leading the AI Skills Fest—a global movement attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the largest AI skills development event. 3. The #empowHER50 Campaign: Honoring Women Powering Microsoft's Trillion-Dollar Transformation This year's #empowHER50 campaign celebrates 50 current and former Microsoft women whose leadership and innovation helped build the company's trillion-dollar success. From leading AI skilling programs across Europe to developing groundbreaking accessibility initiatives, these honorees reflect the power of democratizing technology access. 4. Advancing Allyship in Support of Inclusion Gavriella Schuster, during her time at Microsoft, helped to elevate and scale allyship efforts, including mentorship rings, training, and leadership networks like The WIT Network. These programs continue to grow because of the collective effort of leaders, communities, and allies working together. 5. Elevating Real Stories Through Media and Public Dialogue Initiatives like my Charged: Women in Action series, Sabina Nawaz's executive coaching work and publications, and Chaitra Vedullapalli's Women in Cloud movement are all part of Microsoft's broader strategy to humanize leadership and make conversations about equity, inclusion, and access mainstream. By sharing real voices and lived experiences, we can shift workplace culture and build environments where women are heard, valued, and empowered. A Call to Action: A Blueprint for the Next 50 Years The #empowHER50 campaign is about building the future. It's a call to action for companies, policymakers, investors, and global citizens to invest in a digital economy that works for everyone. It is a reminder that inclusion is not a charity—it is a growth strategy. And the future of AI must be built by many hands, many voices, and many stories. As we celebrate Microsoft's 50-year milestone, let's remember that the most powerful technology we've built is the one that unlocks human potential. And that potential is limitless when we democratize access to powerful innovations. As we look toward the next 50 years, I believe we must continue to lead with empathy, visibility, economic access and action. That means: Telling the untold stories. Investing in skilling, mentorship, and entrepreneurship for underrepresented groups. Building accessible, inclusive technologies by design. Making allyship a business strategy, not a side initiative. Because when women rise, we all rise. Join us on July 18, 2025, at the empowHERaccess Awards and MS50 Recognition Gala to celebrate the women who helped shape Microsoft and the global tech industry—and connect with those building what's next. 🔗 Reserve your seat Their stories shaped our present. Our leadership will shape their future.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Powering Gender-Fair AI: Voices of Women Leading Inclusive Change
During Women's History Month, we're shining a spotlight on some of the incredible women leading change in the tech space through Lenovo's charitable community partnerships. These leaders are not only advocating for a more inclusive future in artificial intelligence (AI), but also helping women and girls gain access to the digital skills they need to thrive. We sat down with three of Lenovo's global partners to hear their insights on building gender-fair AI and advancing women's participation in technology: At the Lenovo Foundation, we believe that inclusive innovation starts with intentional partnerships. We are proud to collaborate with these three visionaries on responsibly and thoughtfully democratizing access to AI, as part of Lenovo's broader commitment to Smarter AI for All – ensuring that the future of technology is shaped by diverse voices and community-driven solutions. Can you share a specific initiative you have led or have been involved in to promote gender fairness in AI development? Janine: 'At Solve Education!, we integrate AI into our gamified learning platforms to bridge the gender gap in education and workforce readiness. We design AI-driven learning tools that strengthen girls' literacy proficiency, a critical gateway to learning and career opportunities. We also provide fun, contextualized STEM education to prepare young women for careers in tech and innovation. And we equip learners with employability skills, including digital literacy, problem-solving, and communication, to ensure they are ready for the workforce of the future. By leveraging AI and gamification, we personalize learning experiences, making education more engaging and accessible, particularly for marginalized girls.' Laura: 'I am the director of Ashoka's AI community, an initiative that finds, brings together and accompanies social entrepreneurs who use AI for social impact projects. The goal is to bring the perspectives of this ecosystem to decision making spaces, companies and governments so that technology is designed to seek the common good and solve related problems. Within Ashoka's AI Community, we support initiatives that work with artificial intelligence with a social and gender perspective. One example is DataGénero and its project AymurAI, a software designed to anonymize judicial documents and reduce gender bias in sensitive data from court rulings. This tool makes it possible to extract statistics on gender violence, promoting greater transparency in Latin American judiciaries.' Petra:' Aj Ty v IT focuses on increasing the presence of women in the IT sector by providing education, networking, and support. We promote gender fairness through programs that encourage girls and women to pursue careers in technology, which aligns with initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive and diverse environments in the field. In AI development we focus, for example, on fostering diverse teams, which are at the beginning of every product story.' We know that training data determines the efficacy and expertise of AI systems, but people can forget that data sets can contain real bias: Who was included, how is the data structured, what was the data source, etc. How have you ensured that AI systems in your projects are designed and tested to avoid gender biases? Janine: 'We actively audit and refine our AI-driven tools to ensure fairness in learning experiences. Our approach includes designing neutral and inclusive AI models that provide equitable access to learning and career guidance, especially in STEM fields. We also continuously monitor and improve fairness in our AI-driven learning interventions.' Laura: 'We work with social entrepreneurs to integrate best practices in AI development, including the use of diverse and representative datasets to avoid bias in the information processed. We also collaborate with gender equity experts to assess the impact of AI on different social groups, and provide training and sensitization to the teams developing these technologies, ensuring that they understand and mitigate gender bias in their projects. In the case of AymurAI, its design makes it possible to eliminate sensitive information that could perpetuate inequalities and help build a more equitable judicial system.' Petra: 'Our projects are in majority in the educational area. For building new streams, we assemble diverse teams of trainers and professionals and use representative datasets to avoid gender biases.' Can you provide an example of how you have successfully increased women's access to technology and digital skills training? Janine: 'Solve Education! is committed to expanding access to STEM education and employability skills for girls from low-income communities through strengthening girls' literacy foundation, essential for digital literacy and career advancement. We provide gamified STEM education, breaking stereotypes and preparing girls for high-demand tech jobs. We embed workforce readiness skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, in our AI-powered learning programs. Our mobile-first learning platform ensures that young women—especially those with limited access to formal education—can develop the skills needed for the digital economy, no matter where they are.' Laura: '50% of the community initiatives are led by women, a fact no less given that female participation is always a challenge in technology environments. The social sector has a great potential in reducing this gap since there is a large female presence and if they can use technology as a tool for their causes, it is a great revolutionary opportunity, no doubt.' Petra: 'Aj Ty v IT has trained 60,000 girls and women in digital and technology skills to date. We break down barriers to education, which are often financial and social. Our regional reach extends to the smallest villages where access to technical education for girls is very limited.' What challenges have you faced in advancing gender fairness in AI, and how have you addressed them? Janine: 'One major challenge is deeply ingrained societal and cultural barriers that limit girls' access to education and workforce participation. In many of the communities we work with, girls are expected to marry young and take on household responsibilities, limiting their career prospects. To tackle this, we leverage AI and gamification to create engaging, self-paced learning experiences that keep girls motivated. We incorporate workforce skills training, ensuring that girls graduate from our programs job-ready and confident in pursuing careers in technology, business, and other fields. We also collaborate with employers, helping bridge the gap between learning and employment, and ensuring that companies have access to a diverse and skilled workforce.' Laura: 'Some challenges include lack of female representation in AI development. To counter this, we promote the visibility of women leaders in technology. There is also a gap in access to data and resources in Spanish. We have worked with entrepreneurs to develop inclusive and accessible tools. Resistance to change in some sectors has also been a barrier. To address this, we have established partnerships with technology companies and networking spaces, allowing initiatives to connect with key players in the sector.' Petra: 'In Slovakia, we struggle with the lack of representation of women in IT and limited awareness of STEM studies and projects. We fight these issues through continuous education and advocacy across the country.' How has your partnership with Lenovo advanced your goals of raising awareness about the importance of gender fairness in AI and technology? Janine: 'Lenovo's support has helped us scale our impact, ensuring that more girls can access digital education, STEM learning, and career-building opportunities. Through this collaboration, we advocate for gender fairness in AI, ensuring that AI-driven education tools create equitable learning pathways for young women. We provide underserved communities with accessible technology, enabling young women to develop the digital and employability skills needed for the workforce of the future. We also conduct career workshops to expose girls to opportunities in STEM, helping them explore careers in technology and innovation and equipping them with the confidence to pursue these paths. Together, we are transforming education, promoting gender equity, and preparing the next generation for the future of work.' Laura: 'This partnership exemplifies in a very concrete way how corporate commitment can make support initiatives focused on the common good. Companies such as Lenovo, who are thinking and designing new intersections between industries and social entrepreneurs, make us hopeful for the future.' Petra: 'Lenovo provides us with resources and funding for women's education and training programmes. For high school students, we have jointly developed the 'Discover IT faCOOLties' programme, which enables them to visit IT faculties. Female university students have the opportunity to be mentored by Lenovo professionals. For graduates of our academies, Lenovo has job offers that allow them to directly start their new careers in technology fields. We also strengthen our outreach efforts through joint marketing and communications strategies.' About Solve Education! Solve Education! is a philanthropic organization committed to enabling people to empower themselves through education. Our focus is to help children and youth around the globe receive effective and fun education. Whether these children and youth don't attend schools or the traditional education they receive is ineffective, we are here to help. Our team is made up of experienced educationists, technologists, and business executives. What do we have in common? Our driving passion to close the global education gap, one child at a time. About Ashoka Ashoka is the world's largest network of social entrepreneurs and a global leader in social innovation. We champion social entrepreneurs who are shifting systems and creating new frameworks for society. About Aj Ty v IT Aj Ty v IT, a nonprofit organization founded in 2012, aims to motivate and support girls and women in the field of information technology. Our mission, expressed through the motto 'Technology has no gender,' is to ensure that women do not remain on the sidelines, but instead become an integral part of the technological future. Through its activities, Aj Ty v IT breaks down social stereotypes about women in IT, builds a supportive community, and educates girls from grade school to high school, We offer specialized career programs for adult women, and collaborate with IT faculties at universities. Over twelve years of operation, almost 55,300 girls, women, and teachers from across Slovakia have participated in our workshops, courses, and academies. About Lenovo Foundation Lenovo Foundation is a U.S. 501c3 charitable and non-profit arm of Lenovo. Together with Lenovo corporate philanthropy and initiatives across Lenovo's global business, Lenovo Foundation has a mission to provide access to technology and STEM education for those who need it most. Lenovo Foundation accomplishes its mission through strategic giving, employee engagement and disaster response. Learn more at and Lenovo's annual ESG Report. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Lenovo
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
XTransfer Singapore CEO Violas Xiao Joins Money20/20 Asia's Panel
Violas Xiao, Local CEO of Singapore at XTransfer (third from left), at the Money2020 Asia's Panel BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 May 2025 -, participated in Money20/20 Asia, one of the most influential events in the global fintech calendar., was honoured to be invited as a distinguished speaker at the RiseUp panel, empowered by Deutsche RiseUp initiative is a global program dedicated to promoting the careers of women in financial technology and fostering inclusive leadership. The 2025 cohort brought together a remarkable group of female leaders to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for success in a rapidly evolving the panel discussion, titled "Re-evaluate the Power of Connection – How to Leverage Relationships," Violas joined an esteemed lineup of speakers including Kriti Jain, Managing Director and Head of Digital Economy, Fintech & Platform in Corporate Coverage, APAC and Cash Sales APAC, MEA at Deutsche Bank, and Ivan Chang, alongside moderator Rachel Whelan, Managing Director, APAC Head of Corporate Cash Management, and Global Head of Payments & TFX Product Management at Deutsche the value of building authentic, intentional relationships in today's connected world. "Opportunities rarely happen by chance, they come from people who know and trust you. Networking builds that vital bridge."She encouraged professionals, especially newcomers, to start with curiosity, not credentials. "Ask open-ended questions like 'What brought you here tonight?' to spark real conversations."also encourages people not to wait for the perfect moment. "Most people are more open than we think. Approach with sincerity, build sincerely, and grow together."As the fintech landscape continues to evolve, XTransfer is committed not only to innovation and growth in financial services but also to championing the next generation of women leaders in the in 2017, XTransfer, the world-leading and China's No.1 B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, is dedicated to providing SMEs with secure, compliant, fast, convenient and low-cost foreign trade payment and fund collection solutions. With more than 600,000 enterprise clients, XTransfer has become the industry No.1 in China. XTransfer has obtained local payment licences in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and #XTransfer #SMEs #Money2020Asia #Crossborder #Payment The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
