I recently had the opportunity to attend the Women in Tech: Leading the Digital Revolution – Adapt & Thrive conference in Washington, D.C. This year’s event brought together forward-thinking leaders across industries to discuss how we can navigate disruption, harness AI, and lead with purpose in an era of unprecedented change. The conversations were as inspiring as they were practical, and many of the insights are directly applicable to the work we’re doing at Vitech and across the broader tech ecosystem.
Here are a few takeaways that stood out:
AI & Digital Transformation: The Future Is Now
AI isn’t a distant concept. It’s already reshaping how we work. One striking statistic: by 2030, AI is expected to become a $1.3 billion industry, with up to 95% of code potentially written by AI. Today, Microsoft and Google already produce about 30% of their code using AI.
The rise of natural language as a “new programming language” is democratizing access to technology, enabling non-engineers to contribute in meaningful ways. But amid the AI hype, one message was clear: data is the unsung hero. With 80% of AI project time spent on data preparation, a strong data foundation is essential for scalable success.
Leadership in a Time of Disruption
“Disruption is the new constant.” That phrase resonated deeply, capturing the need for adaptive, empathetic leadership. Successful organizations don’t resist change; they embrace it.
Speakers shared a five-part framework for navigating disruption:
- Accept its inevitability
- Assess its impact
- Adapt strategy accordingly
- Lead with empathy
- Reflect and revise
Leadership engagement from the top is essential for any transformation initiative, especially those involving AI. And innovation requires a willingness to experiment, fail, and try again.
Workforce Development & Inclusion
We’re now managing four generations in the workforce, each with distinct needs, from Gen Z’s digital fluency to Baby Boomers’ traditional work ethic. Supporting and understanding these differences is critical to building strong, diverse teams.
There was also honest dialogue about the challenges women in tech continue to face. Many speakers shared that they still feel they must work “2–3 times harder” than their male peers. Looking ahead, 20–30% of the future workforce may be neurodiverse and lack college degrees, emphasizing the need to hire for continuous learning, not just credentials.
Upskilling and reskilling will be essential as AI continues to evolve the way we work.
Data Strategy & Responsible AI
Clean, well-governed data was a recurring theme. Without it, AI systems can’t scale, or worse, they can perpetuate bias. Tracking data lineage helps identify and remove flawed data, while “privacy by design” ensures responsible data use from the outset.
Ethical AI development requires diverse voices at the table and widespread data literacy across the organization.
Product Innovation: Move Fast, Learn Faster
The most successful innovators embrace a mindset of “experiment first, perfect later.” One standout phrase: “Build once, leverage everywhere.” That’s the kind of scalable thinking that drives long-term value.
Equally important: don’t just listen to what customers say, dig into what they truly need. And always ask why you’re using AI before focusing on how.
Digital transformation isn’t just about technology. It’s about rethinking processes, teams, and outcomes.
Well-being & Work Culture: A Competitive Advantage
Creating a sustainable work culture is more important than ever. Strategic slacking, taking intentional breaks to pause, reflect, and recharge, was championed as a key driver of productivity and creativity.
Mental health support, especially in times of change, must be prioritized. And recognition, whether through a quick one-on-one or informal shoutout, goes a long way in building a sense of community and belonging.
Looking Ahead
As a woman leader in tech, I’m encouraged by how Vitech is embracing the future, not just through innovation, but by investing in our people and culture.
We’re applying the insights from this conference in real ways. Our teams are leveraging AI with strong data foundations and a customer-first mindset. We’re building for scalability, experimenting often, and moving quickly to deliver value.
Equally important, we know digital transformation is about people. From inclusive hiring and upskilling to empathetic leadership and mental health support, we’re creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Our VIEW (Vitech Inspiring and Empowering Women) employee resource group is helping to drive these efforts, including an upcoming session where we’ll share key takeaways from this event.
The Women in Tech conference reinforced what we believe at Vitech: that purposeful leadership, inclusive culture, and bold innovation go hand in hand, and we’re proud to be on that path.
