AI is changing who succeeds in tech. Are we preparing women for that shift?

For as long as I have worked in the technology sector, there has been a tension between the desire to build more diverse teams and the need to ensure the best person is appointed to each role. Most leaders I speak to genuinely want to hire more women, yet the available talent pool, particularly in New Zealand, remains overwhelmingly male.  While organisations can and should continue improving inclusive hiring practices, with latest data from NZ Tech suggesting a mere 29% of the IT workforce is female, focusing solely on recruitment treats the symptom rather than the cause.

If we are serious about shifting the dial on gender diversity in technology, we need to encourage more women to enter the sector in the first place. That work begins well before the interview stage. With a recent report finding that less than one in twenty girls will consider a career in science, technology, engineering or maths, it starts with education, exposure and confidence. As AI continues to transform how work is done, introducing young women to the practical power of generative AI tools is a critical part of that equation.

Technology careers are too often presented as highly technical, code-heavy and suited to a particular type of student. At the same time, AI is rapidly changing how technical work is delivered. This presents a rare opportunity to broaden participation, if we are intentional about how we seize it.

My own entry into a technology career was anything but linear. I did not grow up tinkering with computers, nor was I primed at school for a future in tech. I did well enough in maths and science, but my clear strength was in English. I was never really exposed to thinking or opportunities that were likely to lead to a technology career. Choosing to enrol in a Computer Science degree at the University of Waikato surprised almost everyone, including me. I was drawn to the pace and potential of the sector, even though I did not see myself as particularly "techy".

What I quickly learned was that technical brilliance alone is rarely the determining factor for success in this industry. Soft skills like communication, critical thinking and being able to translate technical concepts into business outcomes became my advantage. Learning how to work alongside technical specialists and simplifying complexity shaped the direction of my career.

My first role came about largely by chance. After a university visit from a New Zealand health technology company, I accepted a software developer position at the age of 19. That decision opened the door to roles spanning software implementation, business analysis, programme management and large-scale transformation, eventually leading me to my current leadership position at AoFrio. That path might never have unfolded had I followed the more expected route into an Arts degree.

When I was studying, coding was positioned as the gateway skill. Today, that role is increasingly played by AI. Yet I am not convinced we are doing enough to encourage young people, particularly young women, to engage with AI as a core capability for future careers.

Recently, my 17‑year‑old niece and I were discussing an upcoming assignment where she had to create and market a product. When I asked if she'd thought about using AI tools to explore or prototype her ideas, she looked genuinely surprised; it simply hadn't crossed her mind. The idea of using something like vibe‑coding to build a product seemed inaccessible to her.

She'd also never considered that she might enjoy working with technology in the future. No one had ever presented it to her in an accessible way, so she still sees the field as something meant for highly technical people - even though the barrier to entry, especially at her age, is quite low. The irony is she's a strong critical thinker with a logical mind, making her an excellent fit for learning the basics.

AI is fundamentally changing how work gets done, particularly in software development and engineering. Anyone entering the sector now needs a baseline understanding of how to use it effectively as a productivity tool. If school curriculum and teachers cannot keep pace, we must find other ways to ensure our young people, especially young women, are not left behind.

As AI continues to democratise technical skills, some traditional STEM boundaries will blur. What will not disappear are the human capabilities at the heart of effective technology leadership. Critical thinking, communication, influence and the ability to bridge people, processes and technology remain essential. AI can accelerate technical execution, but it cannot replace human connection and judgement. 

My advice to women considering a career in technology, whether at school or later in life, is this: you do not need deep technical expertise to succeed. What you will need is curiosity, critical thinking, strong analytical skills, the ability to work with people, and a willingness to leverage AI as it reshapes the way organisations work. These are capabilities many women possess in abundance.

We are at a genuine inflection point. AI is changing how work is done and lowering barriers that have historically deterred young women from technology careers. This moment calls for more women to actively shape the technology sector, contributing their own experiences, perspectives and values that will define its future.