When I think about what the rise of AI means for the next generation of women engineers, my first thought is that they are entering the profession at one of the most exciting moments in engineering history. Many people see AI as a short-term bubble, and it certainly is in terms of economic impact, but embedded within that economic bubble is a profound technical trend that will create new opportunities for women – and men – across many fields, especially engineering.
Throughout my career in semiconductor technology, I have learned that every major breakthrough creates opportunities for those willing to embrace change. AI is no exception. It is transforming how we work, solve problems, and develop new technologies, and the ability to use AI well will increasingly be an important criterion for business and career success.
For young women starting their careers today, AI is not something to be intimidated by. It can lower the threshold for entering the profession by making learning more accessible, flexible, and engaging. For those who may once have found technology difficult, abstract, or even boring, AI can help them gain knowledge, explore technical topics more deeply, and progress at their own pace in a way that is relative to their personal goals and experience.
At the same time, AI reinforces something that has always been true about engineering. Technology, by itself, is never enough. We cannot fully rely on AI. Big data is powerful, yes, but only when the information behind it is relevant and specific. Otherwise, it can lead to the wrong conclusions. Engineers still need deep wells of curiosity, critical thinking, and sound judgment to ensure they ask the right questions and make responsible decisions. AI can assist in that path, but the engineer must provide the original thinking.
That is why I believe women have such an important role to play in shaping the future of AI. Diverse perspectives are essential if we want technology to reflect the needs of the people it ultimately serves. Women bring valuable, often purely practical evaluation skills and common sense to how AI is applied, helping to ensure that, however exciting it may be, innovation remains grounded in the real-world.
What excites me most is that AI is also pushing the next generation of engineers to think more creatively. Many routine tasks will be automated, but people with imagination can use AI to reshape their work, design new solutions, and create value in entirely new ways. In that sense, the rise of AI creates equal opportunity for men and women to not only succeed in engineering but develop into multi-talented professionals who can thrive across very different disciplines.
Of course, progress is not a given. We still need to encourage more girls and young women to pursue STEM subjects, and we still need workplaces that support diverse talent through mentorship, opportunity, and inclusion.
As leaders and engineers, we have a responsibility to use technology thoughtfully and create environments where the broadest possible range of talent can thrive.
My takeaway message to young women considering engineering as a career is simple. This is your moment. The AI era will need innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders from every background, and the next generation of women engineers has an extraordinary opportunity not just to take part in that future, but to play a major role in shaping it.
I believe that’s something worth celebrating. Not just on International Women in Engineering Day, but every day.
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