UST, Heather Dawe: The Power of Women in Tech and AI

As the technology sector continues to drive global innovation and economic growth, a disparity remains at its core.

Despite making up roughly half of the global workforce, women represent only about 28% of the tech industry's talent pool – a figure that drops even lower to less than 22% in the specialised field of AI.

This gender gap isn't merely a diversity issue; it represents perspective, talent and potential innovation that can be gained at a critical moment in technological development.

International Women's Day provides an opportunity to spotlight this challenge and celebrate the women who are breaking barriers in the field – so

Technology Magazine hears from Heather Dawe, Chief Data Scientist, UK and Head of Responsible AI at UST – about how women and diversity are shaping the future of technology, the importance of addressing bias in AI and UST's initiatives to build a more inclusive tech ecosystem.

Tell us about you and your role at UST?

My name is Heather Dawe – and I’m the Chief Data Scientist and Head of Responsible AI at UST.

I lead the UK data science team, advising major UK, European and global enterprises on data strategies, roadmaps and AI-solutions to drive their success.

With over 25 years in data and AI, I’ve been driving innovation across industries – improving outcomes, quality and efficiency long before “Data Scientist” was even a title.

My career has allowed me to advocate for democratising AI, while also helping achieve greater diversity in those who develop it.

How can fostering an inclusive workforce drive innovation and improve business outcomes in the tech sector?

According to research, diverse teams are 87% more likely to make better decisions than non-diverse teams.

This is because they bring a mix of experiences, perspectives and problem-solving approaches.

This diversity fosters creativity, challenges group-thinking and leads to more well-rounded solutions.

In tech, it drives smarter innovation, more inclusive products and solutions that resonate with a wider audience.

The result – stronger market growth, better business outcomes and a competitive-edge in an evolving industry.

What role do women play in reducing bias and shaping ethical AI systems?

As AI advances globally – contributing US$15.7tn to the global economy – women play a key role in ensuring the technology is both accountable but also inclusive.

Through their unique perspectives, women can resonate with the needs of different groups, spot biases in systems/data and create solutions that are fair and accessible to all.

The problem is, well, fewer than 22% of AI talent globally are women.

This needs to be addressed urgently by governments and industry alike by offering training programs and professional development opportunities.

At UST, we take an on-going proactive approach to celebrating women leadership in the workforce – including moments like International Women’s Day this year, where we host in-person training events in London, for example, to strengthen women’s skills in AI-driven software testing and quality assurance.

How does the underrepresentation of women in computer science education impact the future AI talent pipeline?

The lack of women directly limits the talent pool available in the AI industry.

With fewer women entering the field, there is a missed opportunity to harness a broader range of skills and ideas.

This can exacerbate talent shortages and make it harder to meet the growing demand for AI professionals.

At UST, we’re actively addressing this challenge through our Tech We Can Champions Program.

This initiative trains UST employees to serve as STEM ambassadors, equipping them to work with schools across the UK to deliver STEM-Tech We Can lessons.

By engaging young girls and students at an early stage, we help to spark interest in technology careers.

Why are women’s perspectives critical in developing inclusive AI policies?

AI models are designed and shaped by people, meaning they learn from our actions, behaviours and unfortunately, our biases.

Historical data often reflects deep-rooted social prejudices and inequalities, which are then embedded into AI systems.

This becomes particularly problematic in critical areas like hiring and healthcare, where AI- driven decisions can unintentionally perpetuate discrimination and amplify social inequalities.

Women’s involvement in AI policy development ensures that gender-specific needs are considered.

Their unique perspectives can uncover issues men might miss, from healthcare needs to workplace dynamics.

This ensures that AI technologies are truly inclusive, working fairly and effectively for all individuals.

What is the biggest challenge you face in your role?

Throughout my career, I’ve focused on innovating with AI while ensuring its ethical use.

Now, with AI evolving at an unprecedented pace and becoming increasingly geopolitical – think DeepSeek and the US’s Stargate – it’s tougher than ever to keep AI as a force for good.

Yet, prioritising both innovation and ethics remains critical to achieving meaningful impact.

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