Removing barriers in STEM
& Building inclusive environments
It has never been more important to support women in STEM industries. Ahead of Ada Lovelace Day this year, a range of experts in the tech industry on how businesses can keep championing diversity. Rapid AI advancements alongside a widening digital skills gap are shining the spotlight on the need for more diverse voices in order to drive the next surge of innovation.
Experts highlight the need to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM on Ada Lovelace Day
As the world experiences rapid advancements in AI and technology, the need for diverse voices to shape these developments is critical. Yet, the digital skills gap still poses a challenge, often excluding talented individuals—especially women—from participating in the next wave of innovation. This is why, on this year’s Ada Lovelace Day, the call to support women and girls in STEM to continue breaking down barriers is more urgent than ever.
Driving innovation: The importance of a diverse network
Claire Montgomery, Senior Director, Software Engineering, G-P, says: “In moving up from a technical background to a leadership role, I’ve realised leadership isn’t just about having the right technology skills – it’s about driving positive change and making a lasting impact on others’ careers. For me, a key part of this has always been helping to create a more diverse and inclusive tech industry. Naturally, how this is done can differ widely across regions, particularly within global teams. G-P’s 2024 ‘World at Work’ report found 84% of U.K executives report finding skilled talent in their existing market is very or extremely difficult, and are shifting their focus towards global hiring. Near three-quarters are ready to look to other countries to meet their talent needs.”
Dawn Rogers, Chief Legal Officer, Veracode states: “Gender diversity plays a key role in cybersecurity and software development – diverse teams bring varied perspectives, enabling them to spot unique threats and devise creative solutions to emerging challenges. In an era where cybersecurity requires constant advancement over increasingly sophisticated threats, this range of insights is essential for identifying vulnerabilities that homogenous teams might overlook. As AI reshapes our industry, entirely new skillsets are required, meaning organisations can open up more opportunities than ever for women to succeed. Innovation thrives when diverse minds work together.”