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Doha, Qatar: In a revealing snapshot of the tech industry’s ongoing struggle with inclusivity, Web Summit’s 2025 State of Gender in Tech Report highlights a mix of optimism and alarm among women in the field.
The third edition of the Web Summit Qatar, which attracts participants in their large numbers, is scheduled for February 1-4, 2026. ‘Women in Technology: Pioneers’ programme is one of the main pillars of the event, as it represents a global commitment to supporting women and enhancing their presence in the fields of innovation and digital transformation.
Released last week, from Dublin, the report draws from over 600 responses within Web Summit’s global women in tech community. It paints a picture of increasing confidence in leadership abilities juxtaposed against persistent barriers like sexism, bias, and a perceived decline in gender balance.
The survey, now in its sixth year, expands on previous editions by exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) and geopolitical events are influencing equity. A striking 60% of respondents believe gender balance in tech has worsened over the past year, up from 48% in 2024. More than half (56%) attribute this regression to recent geopolitical shifts, which they say are undermining progress.
AI emerges as a double-edged sword in the findings. An impressive 77% of women report using AI daily, and 75% view it as a tool for promoting inclusion, creativity, and work-life balance. For instance, one participant noted, “AI allows me to save time, making family life balance less of a struggle.” Yet, 25% worry that AI could reinforce existing biases, potentially exacerbating inequalities. This ambivalence reflects the technology’s rapid integration into workflows while highlighting the need for ethical safeguards.
Work-life balance remains a critical pain point, with 56% of women feeling forced to choose between career advancement and family—a rise from 49% last year. Sexism persists as a pervasive issue: 49% have experienced it at work, down slightly from 51% in 2024, but 82% feel they must outperform male colleagues to be taken seriously, an increase from 76%. “To be taken seriously, we need to overperform; mistakes are not tolerated in the same way,” shared one respondent.
On a brighter note, progress is evident in pay equity and leadership aspirations. Only 37% now report being paid unfairly compared to men, a significant drop from 51% in 2024. Leadership confidence is at an all-time high, with 81% feeling empowered to lead, up from 76%. However, quotas continue to divide opinions: 51% agree that women are often promoted to fill them, similar to last year’s 53%. Respondents called for substantive change, emphasizing, “Women need funding, not pep talks,” and “True inclusion requires meaningful engagement and cultural change, not just filling quotas.”
This report coincides with the 10th anniversary of Web Summit’s Women in Tech program, launched in 2015 to bridge the gender gap. The initiative has driven notable gains: women’s attendance at events jumped from 25% in 2013 to 42% by 2016, maintaining near-parity since. Women-founded startups at Web Summit 2024 reached 44.5%, up from 29% in 2023. The program offers 85% discounts on tickets, exclusive events, and access to speakers from companies like Meta and Tencent.
Web Summit’s Acting Community Manager Catarina Burguete expressed encouragement over the leadership confidence but concern over stagnant core issues. “Despite greater awareness of the challenges women face, the core struggles remain the same: bias and work-life balance issues still dominate,” she said.
