International Women’s Day reflections from the women shaping technology at New Icon.
International Women’s Day is often a moment to celebrate progress but it is also an opportunity to pause and reflect on the challenges that still exist across the technology industry.
To mark the occasion this year, last week, the women of New Icon came together for an open conversation about the future of technology, the role of diversity in innovation, and the experiences that shape careers in the tech industry.
Inspired by the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, the discussion explored how mentorship, collaboration and knowledge sharing can help create more inclusive and innovative technology environments.
The conversation ranged from the impact of health technology and AI to the importance of representation, accessibility and diverse perspectives in shaping the next generation of digital products.
Here are some of the key insights from that discussion.
One of the strongest themes that emerged from the conversation was the growing role of technology in improving lives, particularly in areas that have historically been underserved.
Health technology was highlighted as a powerful example. Tools such as wearable health devices, AI-driven diagnostics and data-driven platforms are helping people understand and manage their health in ways that were not possible even a decade ago.
However, access to these tools remains uneven. Many technologies that provide valuable health insights still come with a significant cost barrier, meaning they are not accessible to everyone who could benefit from them.
This raises an important challenge for the future of digital innovation: ensuring that technological progress does not simply create better tools for those who already have access, but instead expands opportunities and accessibility across society.
As technology continues to evolve, the responsibility for building inclusive and accessible solutions will become increasingly important.
Another key theme was the role that diversity of thought plays in shaping better technology.
Innovation rarely comes from a single perspective. Instead, it emerges through collaboration between people with different experiences, ideas and approaches to problem-solving.
Within technology teams, this diversity can have a direct impact on the products and platforms being developed. Different perspectives can highlight user needs that might otherwise be overlooked, challenge assumptions during the design process, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for customers and users.
Design thinking and human-centred design approaches rely heavily on this principle. By involving a range of voices throughout the development process, organisations can ensure they are building solutions that work for a broader set of people.
In this sense, diversity is not simply a cultural goal - it is a practical advantage for innovation.
Representation also plays a significant role in shaping how people view careers in technology.
For many people considering a career in tech, visibility matters. Seeing individuals with similar backgrounds working in technology roles can make the industry feel more accessible and achievable.
While progress has been made in recent years, women remain underrepresented across many areas of the technology sector, particularly in engineering and leadership roles.
Creating more visible role models, encouraging mentorship and providing opportunities for collaboration can help shift this dynamic over time.
The discussion highlighted how important it is for organisations to actively support these pathways, not just through hiring but also through development, mentorship and knowledge sharing.
The International Women’s Day theme Give to Gain resonated strongly throughout the conversation.
Mentorship, collaboration and shared learning were all identified as critical elements for supporting both personal growth and industry progress.
Knowledge sharing - whether through informal conversations, team collaboration or professional networks - plays a vital role in helping individuals build confidence, develop new skills and navigate challenges.
This culture of learning and collaboration benefits everyone involved. By sharing experience and insight, individuals contribute to a stronger and more capable technology community.
In many ways, this principle reflects the broader reality of innovation itself: progress is rarely achieved alone.
Looking ahead, there was a strong sense of optimism about the future of technology.
Advances in artificial intelligence, digital platforms and connected systems are opening up new possibilities across industries - from healthcare and sustainability to education and accessibility.
However, the conversation also emphasised the importance of ensuring that technological progress remains grounded in human needs.
The future of technology will not be defined solely by the capabilities of new tools or platforms, but by the ways in which those tools are designed, governed and applied in the real world.
This is where diverse perspectives and inclusive thinking become especially important.
By bringing different voices into the conversation, the technology industry can build solutions that are not only powerful, but also responsible, accessible and meaningful.
Conversations like this highlight an important truth about innovation: technology does not evolve in isolation.
It evolves through people - through collaboration, curiosity, and the willingness to challenge ideas and explore new possibilities.
At New Icon, we are proud to work alongside talented women across design, engineering, strategy and marketing who contribute to shaping the future of technology every day.
International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress is built collectively. By supporting one another, sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for diverse voices to contribute, the technology industry can continue moving towards a more inclusive and innovative future.
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