Why Is Tech Still Struggling With Diversity And Inclusion?

The tech world and I are starting to engage a little more this year—specifically around in-person demos, launches, and events. And I’m disappointed that the space has been unable to move on from the dominating influence of a single demographic I saw ten or more years ago.

Recently, I’ve attended several corporate events where an entire day’s worth of speakers were all male, with tightly scripted demos calling out to the audience as “you guys!” Other events saw panels with men telling other men the same mythic stories of long hours and hard work that only they were uniquely equipped to handle.

When female faces were on display, they were used to illustrate smartphone portrait modes, shown as elements in lifestyle shoots of various pastel-coloured hardware, or using generative AI to find the perfect outfit for going on a date because it was so hard for them to choose.

It shouldn’t be difficult to empower your staff and give them the confidence to raise and object to these issues.

I’ve not spoken on any panels post-COVID, but in the past, I had an absolute rule of not speaking on any panel that was male-dominated. I would demand, at minimum, a gender-balanced panel as part of my speaking arrangements. At least one conference tried to gazump me with a “nobody was available” the morning of the panel—and I passed them a list of suitable names in London and suggested they call through that list very quickly.

It shouldn’t be difficult to bring variety to a panel.

I’m conscious of lax attitudes to safety in both breakout and evening spaces. Tiny standing tables dotted around an expansive hall, forcing people into a crush of tight huddles with strangers, personal space be damned. When you get to the evening events, the alcohol is flowing freely, often with very few non-alcoholic choices. The staff circulate the groups with drinks on the trays or stand at tables, offering pre-poured drinks in open glasses; and everyone should always be wary of any drink not poured and pass it directly to them.

It shouldn’t be difficult to look around a venue with a critical eye and think about the challenges and dangers a space creates.

Diversity and safety shouldn’t be difficult, yet the tech sector continues to fail.