There is still a shortage of women in technology in the Czech Republic. Can artificial intelligence help?

There is still a significant shortage of women in the tech industry worldwide, and the Czech Republic is no exception. In the Czech IT sector, women make up only 10% of all employees. Although gender diversity in the labor market is receiving increasing attention, inequality persists in the technology field. Fewer women mean not only less team diversity, but also untapped potential.

So how can we change this and open the tech world to a wider range of talents? Important factors for change include overcoming traditional stereotypes about "male" and "female" professions and the dynamic development in technical fields, especially the rise of artificial intelligence. All of this was discussed at a round table in Brno at the headquarters of ThermoFisher, which hosted another session of the “Future is Female” platform in cooperation with Business for Society on the topic of Women in Technology.

Diversity as a Key to Efficiency

One of the main arguments for increasing women's participation in technical fields is that diverse perspectives improve technology development. According to Allen Blue, co-founder of LinkedIn, the presence of women in tech teams can positively impact the development of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

"Hiring women for technical roles will lead to more effective machine learning," said Allen Blue in January 2019 at the World Economic Forum meeting.

Men, who often create algorithms, may unintentionally build biased models that do not reflect a broader range of needs and values. To create truly inclusive and effective technologies, it is essential that creators with diverse experiences are involved in the design process.

The Path to Equality – How to Attract Women to Tech?

One of the main barriers for women entering technical professions is prejudice and a lack of support to encourage them at the beginning of their careers. Companies recognize the importance of flexibility and adapting the work environment to women's needs.

"You need to know where to find them and how to reach out. What kind of conditions to offer – for example, parenthood often requires greater flexibility. Recruitment efforts must reflect that, sending the right signals to the right places. It takes a certain amount of creativity and willingness to adapt to changing competency demands in the job market and within the company," said Renáta Millerová, HR Director Central Eastern Europe, ThermoFisher Scientific.

It’s important to redesign the recruitment process – targeting it properly and using inclusive language in job descriptions to avoid discouraging women. Often, they won’t apply if they don’t meet all the (frequently male-oriented) requirements, such as high performance, full dedication, or extreme time flexibility. Responsible companies even offer women the opportunity to try "mock interviews" to build confidence and prepare for the real selection process, along with constructive feedback. It’s also crucial to educate leadership and managers on how women can bring valuable new perspectives to teams. Ultimately, we must change the mindset – the point of view.

Educating Children: The Key to the Future

Many experts agree that change must start in schools, where children should learn about modern technologies and AI from an early age, including how to use them responsibly. Education should also include parents and teachers who play a crucial role in shaping children's interest in tech. According to Monika Ptáčníková from Czechitas, it’s important to show children that these technologies are not only important for their future but can also be fun and inspiring. This is supported by Eva Nečasová, founder of the project AI Dětem, which focuses on educating children about AI and cybersecurity.

"We are currently preparing an AI curriculum. We are interested in how AI will transform society and what changes it will bring to people. We also focus on cybersecurity and the importance of safety when working with AI," said Eva Nečasová, founder of AI Dětem.

Interview with Eva Nečasová: click here

Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Inclusion

Generative AI is emerging as a tool that can help expand career options for women in tech. AI doesn’t only require deep technical skills but increasingly values soft skills – such as communication, language proficiency, and attention to detail. AI is also bridging disciplines and entering fields traditionally dominated by women, such as healthcare. AI is now a foundation for the future of many professions, opening doors to wider female participation. This represents a tremendous opportunity for women.

"It’s important to have open communication, to bring together representatives from different teams and areas to define meaningful AI use in the organization, establish a business case, etc. Creative language use and empathy are also useful for prompting – skills that many women naturally possess," says Kateřina Lesch, Head of Data Science & Risk, EmbedIT. "However, research shows that AI often replaces junior roles, which are unfortunately frequently held by women. The challenge will be to find meaningful roles for them."

Interview with Kateřina Lesch: click here

The Future Is Inclusive

Although the road to diversity and inclusion in technology is still challenging, positive trends are emerging. More and more companies understand that investing in diversity and inclusion boosts team performance and positively impacts long-term tech development. Tech companies that actively promote equal opportunities create environments where diverse perspectives lead to more innovative and effective solutions.

AI, as it evolves today, has the potential to accelerate these changes. The key to success lies in inclusive access to opportunities and opening tech industries to a broader talent pool. The future of the tech industry will not be only about efficient tools and rapid growth but also about sustainable, high-quality working conditions and responsible use of emerging technologies. In the coming years, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability may become essential drivers of tech innovation and bring positive change to the labor market and society as a whole.

New technologies, including AI, offer great opportunities but also risks. They already have and will continue to have a significant impact on society. It’s crucial to regulate misuse, protect democratic principles, and enhance transparency and accountability.

"It’s up to us to manage these changes. What’s important is responsibility and regulation – in Europe, we’ve decided to protect rights, ensure transparency, and uphold ethical standards," concluded Milena Jabůrková, Government Programs Executive at IBM and Vice President of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic.