On 19 March, we hosted an event on  'Accelerating action: Using AI to become a more effective leader', bringing together senior women leaders working in tech roles and allies for a day of thought leadership, practical lessons and inspiring ideas. With keynotes, interactive breakouts and a lively panel discussion, the event focused on the evolving role of AI, and how organisations and individuals alike can stay ahead of the curve.

Here’s a round-up of what we heard, learnt, and shared on the day.

Keynote title: Keep your eyes in the boat: Lessons on resilience

Speaker: Roz Savage MBE – Ocean Rower, Author, Speaker & Parliamentary Candidate

Drawing on her journey from management consultant to solo ocean rower, Roz shared powerful lessons on purpose, perseverance, and pushing past self-doubt. Her keynote encouraged us to embrace uncertainty, trust our instincts, and stay focused on what matters — even in the face of criticism and challenge.

• Begin with the end in mind — purpose creates momentum

• Your path is yours — don’t conform, adapt with confidence

• Focus on what you can control — let your actions do the talking

Keynote title: Women in technology: Leading with AI

Speaker: Konstantina Kapetanidi – Global Head of CRM, AI & Data Sales Enablement, Schroders Bank

With over 15 years in data and analytics, Konstantina shared how AI is reshaping industries, and why women must take the lead. Her talk explored the importance of inclusion, curiosity, and purpose-driven leadership in the age of AI.

• Don’t wait for a seat, bring your own chair 

• Use AI as a tool, but lead with trust and intention

• Stay curious, stay connected, and never stop learning

More helpful resources:

Here are the tools and tips from our breakout sessions, as well as our two reports:

Breakout session: Ethical AI: Weapons of moral construction

Speaker: Sidrah Hassan, AI Ethics Consultant, AND Digital

As AI shapes how we live and work, ethical oversight is essential. At our event, Sidrah Hassan, AI Ethics Consultant at AND Digital, led a session on bias, accountability, and why ethical AI must be fair and inclusive, not just smart.

Breakout session: Practical AI strategies for women in tech

Speaker: Leena Pankhania, AI Strategy Lead, AND Digital

 Leena Pankhania led a hands-on session on how AI can support busy leaders. From streamlining feedback to boosting personal branding and learning, she showed how AI can ease the load without losing the human touch. Her advice: start small, act now.

Report title: Rewards & Resilience - The dual experience of women leaders in tech - UK

Women make up 50% of the UK workforce, but only 24% are in tech, and just 5% in tech leadership. AND Digital’s Rewards & Resilience report explores why, drawing on insights from 200+ female tech leaders and in-depth interviews.

Report title: Doing it for themselves: How women are rewriting the rules of leadership - US

Women hold 47% of jobs in the US, but only 25% in tech, and just 11% in tech leadership. AND Digital set out to understand why, sharing honest insights from female tech leaders to help businesses better support and elevate women in tech.