Terry KS Web Summit’s latest State of Gender in Tech Report reveals that while 81% of women in tech feel empowered to lead, nearly 60% say gender balance has deteriorated over the past year, driven by bias, sexism, and work–life struggles. Despite the setbacks, optimism around AI’s role in promoting inclusion continues to grow.
MALAYSIA, 21 OCTOBER 2025 – Web Summit, the world’s leading technology events organization, has released the findings of its 2025 State of Gender in Tech Report, uncovering a complex picture of progress and persistent challenges. The report shows that women are increasingly confident in their leadership potential and view artificial intelligence (AI) and automation as tools for greater equity — yet gender bias, sexism, and “boys’ club” cultures remain powerful obstacles.
Nearly 60% of respondents say gender balance in tech has worsened over the past year, a steep rise from 48% in 2024. More than half believe recent geopolitical shifts are undermining gender equality in the industry. At the same time, 81% of women report feeling empowered to take on leadership roles, compared to 76% the previous year, reflecting a growing sense of confidence and determination.
The report highlights AI’s double-edged impact. While 77% of women use AI daily and 75% believe it can foster inclusion and efficiency, one in four worry that it could also deepen existing bias. Work–life balance remains another critical issue — 56% say they must still choose between career advancement and family responsibilities, up from 49% in 2024.
Sexism continues to be a widespread experience, with 49% of women reporting workplace discrimination. An overwhelming 82% feel they must outperform men to be taken seriously — a sentiment that has grown stronger compared to the previous year. However, there are signs of progress in pay parity: only 37% now say they are underpaid compared to male colleagues, down from 51% in 2024.
As Web Summit marks the 10th anniversary of its Women in Tech programme, women’s participation across its global events has surged. Female attendees rose from 25% in 2013 to 42% by 2016, maintaining near parity ever since. The number of women-founded startups presenting at Web Summit also jumped to 44.5% in 2024, compared with 29% the year before.
“We’re encouraged to see more women confident in their leadership skills and founding startups,” said Web Summit’s Acting Community Manager, Catarina Burguete. “However, the persistent challenges of bias and work–life balance show that progress remains uneven. We need to move faster if we want to achieve real change.”
The State of Gender in Tech Report 2025 surveyed 671 participants across Web Summit’s Women in Tech community, spanning five continents. As the conversation continues, Web Summit reaffirms its commitment to driving lasting cultural change and gender equity across the global technology industry.