Q. Why do you think the Women Leaders in Electronics Awards are important for the electronics sector, especially in recognising and elevating women’s leadership?

These awards aren’t just about recognition—they’re about fixing a systemic gap in how we innovate. Too often, technology is designed by a narrow group, for a narrow group—and the consequences are real and dangerous. Consider the evidence:

• Airbags were originally tested on crash dummies modeled after an ‘average’ male body, leading to higher injury rates for anyone who didn’t fit that mold.
• Smartwatches launched without menstrual health tracking because the ‘default user’ wasn’t considered. F
• acial recognition systems have higher error rates for people with darker skin tones.
• Voice assistants struggle with higher-pitched voices.
• Even PPE during the pandemic was designed without input from diverse body types, putting frontline workers at risk.

These aren’t minor oversights; they’re failures of perspective—and they happen when leadership lacks diversity. The Women Leaders in Electronics Awards challenge that status quo. They don’t just celebrate women; they push the industry to design for everyone. These awards accelerate that shift, proving that inclusion isn’t optional. It’s how we build technology that works for all people—not just a subset.

Q. Which trends or innovations do you think will shape the electronics industry in the upcoming year, and what do you see as the next “big thing” for women leaders in this space?

The key innovations that is going to transform electronics industry: ·

• AI for Hardware: Generative AI is revolutionizing chip design and optimization, but biased data leads to biased hardware. Women leaders in ethical AI and edge computing will be critical to ensuring these tools serve diverse needs. The ‘big thing’? Women leading AI governance, setting standards for inclusivity and transparency. ·
• Quantum Computing: Ensuring quantum advancement don’t create vulnerabilities in sectors like defence/ financial systems. 
• Green Electronics: The industry must eliminate e-waste and adopt circular design.

The next ‘big thing’ for women isn’t a single technology – it is the ownership of strategic roles and shaping the regulations. Programs like Women Leaders in Electronics Awards are critical to accelerating this shift.