This discussion took a closer look at the influence of gender biases on today’s development of digital technologies. Indeed, social constructions and technology are to be understood in a holistic way. It is therefore not only important to sharpen awareness of how the digital world is shaped by humans, but also how this programming influences people’s thinking and behaviour. The objective of this event was therefore to raise awareness on this issue and to discuss possible solutions for a more inclusive and equal tech-driven future.

Nadia Fischer is Co-Founder of Witty Works, whose mission is to finally crack the code for the crucial representation of women in tech and digital teams, in order to create technology by all and for all.

Her conviction: “My daughter’s life will be determined by technology. But unconscious biases of mainly male programmers will create a future that neglects the needs of her and all other women. With witty.works I want to change that.”

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Ivana Bartoletti is the Head of Privacy and Data Ethics at City-based consultancy Gemserv. She works across all sectors, and also focus on the privacy challenges surrounding the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. She is the Co-Founder of the Women Leading in AI Network, a lobby group of women from different backgrounds aimed to mobilise the tech industry and politics to set clear governance around AI, so that it works for everyone and is guided by our human values. In 2019 she was awarded Woman of the Year in the Cyber Security Awards in recognition to her growing reputation as an advocate of equality, privacy and ethics at the heart of tech and AI.

Jérôme Duberry is Lecturer at the University of Geneva, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and the University of Neuchâtel. His courses cover topics related to digital technologies and international and European relations. He is particularly interested in artificial intelligence, European democracies and global environmental governance.