Growing up as a young girl, the world of technology seemed distant and predominantly male-dominated. It wasn’t until my older sister pursued a degree in informatics at college that I realized the potential for women in the field of technology. This realization wasn’t just about inspiring girls like myself; it was about creating an inclusive environment where diversity thrives and companies benefit from varied perspectives. Despite the existence of the so-called “glass ceiling,” my journey in the tech industry has been about breaking barriers rather than dwelling on them.
In honor of Women’s History Month, it’s a privilege to highlight female leaders among Microsoft Azure AI customers who not only navigate but also innovate in the realm of generative AI. These women and the companies they lead serve as excellent examples of how inclusivity can propel the world of technology forward.
IWill Therapy and IWill CARE Shipra Dawar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
IWill Therapy and IWill CARE, an online mental health care provider in India, have introduced a Hindi-speaking chatbot named IWill GITA, developed using the Azure AI Studio platform. This initiative addresses the significant gap in mental health services in India, where an estimated 60 to 70 million people need care, but access remains limited. IWill GITA provides cognitive behavioral therapy through AI-powered, therapist-like conversations, offering a scalable solution to enhance mental health access across the country. The chatbot is designed to ensure privacy, security, and empathy, making mental health care accessible and free from stigma for those in need.
Telstra Vicki Brady, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Telstra is improving customer service by deploying two generative AI tools—Ask Telstra and One Sentence Summary—developed with Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service. These tools have shown promising results, with 90% of employees reporting increased effectiveness and time savings, resulting in 20% fewer follow-up contacts. The implementation reflects Telstra’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, demonstrating AI’s potential to streamline operations and enhance service delivery in telecommunications.
Schneider Electric Annette Clayton, Chief Executive Officer, North America
By integrating Azure OpenAI Service, Schneider Electric has established an AI hub, serving as the basis for engineers to develop solutions that generate text, code, and other content types. This initiative has led to significant productivity gains and new ways of working, enabling the company to streamline tasks, optimize resource allocation, and achieve greater speed and efficiency.
TomTom Corinne Vigreux, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Consumer Business
TomTom is revolutionizing the driving experience with the introduction of the Digital Cockpit, a conversational infotainment system powered by Azure AI technologies. This system enables drivers to interact with their cars in more intuitive and efficient ways, handling tasks such as making dinner reservations, finding charging stations, and adjusting vehicle settings through voice commands. Leveraging Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure Kubernetes Service, TomTom’s Digital Cockpit promises seamless integration of AI-powered assistance, enhancing the driving experience beyond traditional navigation systems to meet modern drivers’ expectations for convenience and functionality.
Icertis Deanna Lanier, Chief Strategy Officer
Generative AI is transforming contract lifecycle management at Icertis by extracting insights from contract data, improving revenue and efficiency, reducing risks, and ensuring compliance. Collaboration with Microsoft Azure has led to the development of ICI Copilots, which use assistive and generative AI to transform contracts into interactive assets, accelerating contract reviews and uncovering potential revenue leakage.
Blue Yonder Susan Beal, Chief Customer Officer
Blue Yonder is harnessing Azure’s AI and machine learning capabilities to offer end-to-end supply chain management solutions that provide real-time decision-making power and workflows for businesses to efficiently fulfill orders and adapt to market changes. This collaboration enhances supply chain resilience and innovation, enabling companies to manage complexity and maintain profitability amid global challenges.
Sitecore Rohinee Mohindroo, Chief Information Officer
Sitecore, a leader in digital experience management, leverages Microsoft Azure and Azure OpenAI Service to empower brands with intelligent content orchestration—enabling them to deliver personalized, channel-less experiences seamlessly across various touchpoints. By utilizing Azure’s scalable storage, automation, and application deployment capabilities, Sitecore helps brands optimize content velocity, orchestrate digital experiences, and monetize interactions—ensuring frictionless, data-driven customer experiences.
Female leadership is driving innovation
As we navigate the evolving landscape of generative AI, it’s crucial to recognize the role of female leadership in shaping its future. These technologies hold the promise of transforming industries, and with women at the forefront, we can ensure they do so in a way that promotes inclusivity and diversity. The achievements of these leaders not only pave the way for the next generation of women in tech but also illustrate the indispensable value of female perspectives in driving innovation.
As Azure AI celebrates Women’s History Month, let’s remember that the journey toward gender equality in tech is ongoing. The achievements of female leaders in generative AI and beyond serve as a powerful reminder of what is possible when we champion diversity and inclusion. By supporting and uplifting women in tech, we can unlock a future where technology is shaped by a truly representative mix of voices and perspectives.
