100 Women Davos at the famous Swedish Lunch
Davos is witnessing a paradigm shift, powered by the tenacity and vision of women leaders steering conversations toward inclusive innovation and equitable health solutions. Per the World Economic Forum (WEF), a significant stride was made towards gender representation, with women constituting approximately 28% of the 3,000 attendees. This assembly included a notable number of global leaders, with over 350 heads of state, government, and ministers. The forum achieved a record-breaking attendance of over 800 women, marking a historic moment in its 54-year history. Medical Consumables 3 6 12 Leads ECG EKG Chart Paper
It all started with Women Leaders, APCO and Margery Kraus who are one of the oldest women’s forums in Davos with APCO hosting its 40th anniversary celebration at Davos this year. Carine de Meyere founder of Women of the World has been at Davos for 15 years empowering women, making them visible and getting them on various panels.
Also, of note, is the infamous Shelley Zalis of The Female Quotient who takes over an entire hotel and is packed every Davos. It is a must attend and features experts who are both men and women for a diverse perspective.
Rupa Dash DASH of the World Woman Foundation co-hosted by Forbes Women, Dr Anino Emuwa, 100 Woman Davos, Janna Salokangas co-founder of the Finnish Flow FLOW and Salama Belghali Founder of the Women in Web3 summit in Switzerland also led remarkable programs. And I loved the Fortune Most Powerful Women reception hosted by Workday and the fact that the new Co-CEO Carl Eschenbach attended.
Vera Futorjanski, CEO of Beyond, as well as the Unstoppable Women of Web3 and AI, founded by myself, were both present this year in Davos. And Ayumi Moore Aoki, founder and CEO of Women in Tech Global ,who has made it her mission to ensure a global focus, was active at Davos in 2024.
Their contributions underscore a collective mission to champion diversity in the realms of technology and healthcare, carving out new paths for leadership that resonate with women across the globe. And notably all the groups supported each other. For example, Women in Tech Switzerland launched their "Allyship in Tech" Initiative at World Woman Davos.
But despite decades of pushing, little progress has been made when it comes to women joining critical STEM careers that are shaping the future. Why is it so crucial we get more women into these fields? The key component to generating inclusive developments is having women in the room to ask these important questions that drive our research and inventions forward. STEM is at the forefront of innovation. We can’t fully engage with the world around us if half the population is not involved in these processes.
Women in Web3 Summit targeting STEM skills
At the heart of technological progress, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), lies the imperative of diversity and inclusion—not just as buzzwords but as pillars of innovation. The adage "Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance" aptly captures the essence of what drives real creativity and wisdom in AI development. This principle is especially pertinent in the field of women's health, where AI has the potential to address deeply ingrained biases and cater to historically under-served needs.
The conversation at Davos served as a reminder that collaborative AI development, bolstered by varied and unique insights, is key to engineering AI that not only innovates but also inclusively caters to the broad spectrum of women's health issues. It's a clarion call to remain centered on community, listening to and celebrating what we have in common and what makes us different, to forge better AI, and better health outcomes for women across the globe.
The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer presents a dichotomy in public perception, with AI and gene-based medicine at a crossroads of public trust. This divide is more than a metric; it reflects the profound responsibility shouldered by the tech industry. To transcend skepticism, the industry must not only innovate but also articulate the ethical deployment of these technologies.
And for women, the area of trust in data for healthcare is crucial. Establishing trust is essential, requiring transparency and education to illuminate the societal benefits of AI, gene therapy, and women’s health, ensuring that these advancements are embraced not just in theory, but in the everyday lives of people.
Women, on average, live longer than men, yet spend more time in poor health. McKinsey Health Institute and the World Economic Forum unveiled new research showing that economic benefits are inevitable when improving women’s healthcare.
A topic that many women drove at Davos was the need for better data, research and tools for women’s health. McKinsey’s research shows that 44 percent of the female disease burden could be reduced with more consistent and timely delivery of proven existing interventions and breakthrough innovations. A further 6 percent could be reduced by addressing inequality affecting women and girls.
This is not a woman's issue – this is everyone’s issue boldly states the Female Quotient.
(From left to right): Shelley Zalis (Founder & CEO, The Female Quotient) and Douglas Emhoff (Second ... [+] Gentleman of the United States).
In the quest to harness AI to improve women's health, a crucial takeaway is the significance of gender data. The disparities in healthcare data are not just gaps in information but are indicative of deeper societal issues. We must urgently address these disparities to bolster social resilience and instill confidence.As we continue to integrate AI into healthcare, particularly in women's health, taking charge of our data and how it's used is not just about privacy; it's about ensuring that the technology empowers us without compromising our autonomy.
During an impactful 'Women's AI Breakfast' at AI House Davos, leading women in the field, including Anna Makanju of OpenAI, shared their invaluable perspectives. The discussions, steered by Nicole Büttner of Merantix Momentum and featuring voices like Deemah AlYahya of the Digital Cooperation Organization and Nigina Muntean of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), delved into strategies for creating unbiased AI systems.
The consensus highlighted the need for diverse talent pools to identify and mitigate existing biases, ensuring that AI solutions are equitable and safe.
Furthermore, shaping a positive narrative around AI was underscored as critical to its acceptance and successful integration into healthcare. Diversity in AI training is not a mere advantage but a necessity, bringing a wealth of experiences that can lead to richer, more nuanced AI applications in women's health. The dialogue also emphasized the significance of inclusive AI regulation—policies co-designed with diverse inputs that reflect a tapestry of societal needs.
A key focus at Davos has been the dire need for advancements in women’s health, an area where AI can be a game-changer. According to McKinsey, a significant percentage of the health issues women face could be mitigated through the delivery of proven health interventions and addressing gender inequalities. AI stands as a beacon of hope, promising to personalize care and provide insights into gender-specific health conditions. Its analytical prowess could revolutionize early detection and treatment, particularly for diseases like breast cancer and osteoporosis that predominantly affect women.
Until 1993, women were not mandatorily included as subjects in clinical research in the US. This startling omission spans critical areas: prescription drugs, vaccines, cancer research, cardiovascular health, mental well-being, Alzheimer’s, and more. ● Even though women have been included for the last 30 years, there exists a lag of about 17 years from translational research to direct patient care. Effectively, this means our actionable data on women’s health is barely in its adolescence.
Women are the foundation of healthy families, vibrant communities, and prosperous economies. Leaders like Neema Kaseje, Founder & Director of the Surgical Systems Research Group (SSRG), are advocating for marginalized groups, emphasizing the urgency of leveraging technology to break down barriers to healthcare. Her insights at Davos in the AI House session bring attention to the stark disparities in healthcare access, especially for women and children in vulnerable situations. AI's ability to sift through extensive data sets can uncover new avenues for diagnosis and treatment, equipping medical professionals with the tools to combat healthcare inequalities.
Neema Kaseje on the World Women Equality Moonshot
Neema explained to me in Switzerland, “Women and children particularly in refugee and refugee contexts continue to be left behind and their access to life saving health care remains. Technology can be leveraged to address barriers to care and there is a need for more joint collective action to reach health for all and sustainable development goals by the 2030 deadline.”
Synthetic data is poised to revolutionize the landscape of women's health by enabling the development of AI tools without compromising patient privacy. This innovative approach to data handling allows for the exploration of health trends and the development of predictive models, free from the constraints of bias that have historically plagued medical data. By harnessing the power of synthetic data, AI will deliver more equitable and targeted healthcare interventions, specifically in areas such as maternal health and fertility.
At the forefront of this revolution is Stanford Biodesign, led by Dr. Oliver Aalami. Their dedication to merging technology with healthcare through the development of Spezi, an evolution of CardinalKit, represents a commitment to constructing a digital health infrastructure that is comprehensive, modular, and interoperable. By leveraging HL7 FHIR standards, Stanford Biodesign is not just creating tools but actively shaping the future of healthcare delivery. Their focus on women’s health is a testament to the power of innovation in forging a future where medical care is both inclusive and transformative.
In discussion with Aditi Joshi, Advisor to the Building for Digital Health team at Stanford Biodesign, she shared that her “personal passion project is addressing health inequities and giving equal opportunity to those in need. Education is the great equalizer. It is incumbent upon all of us to use the power of AI for good.“
Aditi Joshi speaking at Davos 2024
In addition to healthcare, women’s leadership has taken center stage at the heart of this year's Davos agenda, demonstrating a powerful influence on global dialogues and initiatives. A remarkable example of this leadership was the high-level roundtable hosted by an inspiring female figure in politics, Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, a Member of Parliament from Greece who also serves as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for the Ocean. This event not only highlighted the importance of female leadership in political spheres but also underscored the role women play in steering critical environmental issues to the forefront of international policy discussions.
Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, leading the charge as the Ocean Lead
Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, leading the charge as the Ocean Lead, not only orchestrated this significant gathering at Davos but is also set to host this year's Our Ocean Conference. Her dedication to oceanic health reflects a broader commitment seen across the board at Davos, where women are not just participants but are actively shaping the conversation and outcomes of such high-profile gatherings. Her efforts to unite leaders across various sectors signal a transformative approach to environmental advocacy—one that is inclusive, action-oriented, and spearheaded by women who are undeniably setting the agenda on the global stage. This is a vivid demonstration of how women in leadership are not only participating in important conversations but are also catalyzing concrete actions for a sustainable future.
In the midst of the World Economic Forum's dynamic interchange of ideas and global agendas, a poignant theme emerged from the dialogues led by women: the imperative for diverse leadership. This call was not just about filling seats with a variety of faces; it was about bringing a spectrum of experiences and voices to the forefront to address the complex challenges of our time. Vera Futorjanski, CEO of Beyond, captured this sentiment compellingly, stating, "The theme of this year's forum, 'Rebuilding Trust,' resonated deeply with the ethos of my endeavors." By consciously curating events that placed diverse women in prominent speaking roles, Futorjanski illustrated the power of inclusion in fostering trust and understanding across diverse cultures and communities.
Vera Futorjanski, CEO of Beyond
The women-led agenda at Davos, championed by leaders like Futorjanski, underscored the world's dire need for a broader array of perspectives at the helm. The Women Leaders reception and the Women’s AI Breakfast served as platforms where leaders like President Fawn Sharp and tech experts Deemah Al Yahya and Anna Makanju shared insights that reverberated beyond the event halls, instigating a ripple of empowerment. These gatherings embodied the transformative potential that diverse leadership holds—not only in inspiring women globally but also in shaping a future where decision-making is enriched by the collective wisdom of varied lived experiences. This focus on diversity is not merely a nod to equality; it's a strategic imperative that is essential for innovation, resilience, and societal progress.
As Safia Agueni, President of Women in Tech Switzerland said, “Across all industries, organizational transformations focus on ‘doing more with less,’ aiming for high-performance teams with diverse talent for superior results. Research shows that teams with greater diversity and psychological safety perform the best in tackling complex challenges. Technology, as a huge enabler of transformation, is still underrepresented by diverse, female talent. There’s a significant pool of female tech talent at all levels, but it remains untapped without direct involvement and sponsorship from key decision-makers. Imagine the potential of higher-performing teams if we sustainably created the needed support in tech.”
A Call to Action for Inclusive Healthcare and Women-Led Agendas
The discussions at Davos resonate with a clear message: there is a pressing need to embrace AI as a pivotal ally in the quest for women's health equity.
As Dr Anino Emuwa, CEO and Founder 100 Women Davos, told me, “In addressing today's complex challenges, from climate action to peace and security as well as ethics in the development of AI and other new technologies, tapping into all talent is crucial. With women comprising half of the world's talent pool, female leadership is not just valuable but vital for finding solutions and navigating our shared path forward.”
Ecg Paper A4 As these leaders return to their respective domains, they carry the torch for a future where technological advancements in AI are not only trusted but are also integral to delivering comprehensive, gender-sensitive healthcare. In a world where women's voices are becoming increasingly influential in shaping policy and innovation, the convergence of AI and women's health is not just a possibility but imperative. Through collective action and persistent advocacy, the future o