This past year has been a concerning time for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the technology sector, with many companies scaling back their initiatives and efforts.
This lack of commitment has caused prominent diversity organizations to also reduce their efforts, as they do not want to enable firms to merely pretend to make a difference rather than actually making a meaningful impact.
As we approach the end of the year, there are still many uncertainties about what the diversity landscape will look like in the UK’s tech sector next year.
Earlier this year, women in the technology and finance sectors rallied together to overturn a government decision that could have created a diversity gap in startup funding.
Following a consultation, HM Treasury revised the criteria for defining a “high-net-worth individual,” making it harder for women to become angel investors.
MP Caroline Dinenage supported the investHER campaign, which advocated for a change in the new law, ultimately leading to a reversal of the decision.
Research from BCS, building on a study conducted before the pandemic, revealed that diversity growth in the UK’s tech sector has been sluggish over the past five years.
For instance, in the case of women in tech, the research found that women made up only 20% of UK tech professionals in 2022, showing a mere 4% increase since 2018.
There is ongoing debate about the factors preventing individuals from underrepresented groups from pursuing careers in the tech sector.
According to the Institute of Coding, some research suggests that people are unsure about the roles in the technology sector, and this lack of understanding, coupled with the underrepresentation of the UK’s general population in tech roles, poses a significant barrier for those considering a tech career.
In the summer of 2024, Everywoman, a network for women in business, unveiled the winners of this year’s technology awards, in collaboration with Bupa.
The theme for this year was ‘Empower. Transform. Thrive,’ with a focus on increasing the visibility and accessibility of female role models in the tech sector to inspire others to pursue tech careers.
Computer Weekly, in partnership with Harvey Nash, hosts an annual diversity in technology event to address topics related to diversity and announce the most influential women in UK technology.
The recap of the 2023 event, released this year, includes insights from tech experts on promoting diversity and inclusion in tech businesses and emphasizes the importance of everyone’s involvement in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
During ServiceNow’s Knowledge24 event, actress Viola Davis discussed her career, women in tech, and the significance of supporting others in both professional and personal life.
Davis stressed the importance of mentorship and receiving assistance from others in her own career journey, echoing the ongoing conversation in the tech sector about the crucial role of role models in encouraging individuals to pursue tech roles.
As artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly vital role in various aspects of life and business, there is growing concern about the diversity of teams involved in its development.
Research from IBM indicated that UK business leaders believe having women in decision-making positions in the tech sector is crucial to ensuring that AI and other technologies are developed with inclusivity in mind.
Following findings in its annual report that the tech industry is scaling back on diversity initiatives, the Tech Talent Charter announced its decision to disband after nearly a decade of operation.
As it closed its doors, the Charter issued a call to action for the industry not to regress in its efforts to enhance diversity, providing guidance on the next steps to take.
Concerns within the industry about the impact of not having women involved in developing technologies like AI on certain user groups were validated by research from Code First Girls and Tech Talent Charter.
The joint research revealed that women are 40% more likely than men to be affected by job automation, although this could be mitigated through continuous training initiatives.
In 2024, Sheridan Ash, co-CEO of the technology education charity Tech She Can, was named the 13th most influential woman in UK tech by Computer Weekly.
The announcement was made alongside the unveiling of the top 50, as well as Computer Weekly’s 2024 Rising Stars and the list of women in tech Hall of Famers.
