As the technology industry continues to push boundaries with artificial intelligence and digital transformation, heightened emphasis on leadership diversity is becoming increasingly important. On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, Tech Achieve Media speaks with Vibha Jain, Head of Digital Lending Solutions Group at Newgen Software, about the evolving role of women in the tech ecosystem. In this interview, she reflects on the challenges around sponsorship and access to leadership opportunities, the cultural influence women bring to organizations, and why addressing gender bias in emerging technologies like AI can unlock stronger ideas, better products, and a more balanced innovation landscape.
TAM: What part of the tech ecosystem still systematically underestimates women, and what’s the real cost of that blind spot?
Vibha Jain: I feel that the tech ecosystem has begun recognizing women’s potential when it comes to stretch roles. However, there is still a long way to go when it comes to ambition for top and access to sponsorships and capital. An initiative taken by a woman must not be seen as a high risk vis-à-vis a similar one by her counterpart. Organizations are now on the path of making an effort to ensure women are heard and seen. In the absence of which, women don’t just lose fairness, they lose ideas, better products, and unthought off perspectives. When you fix the blind spot, you don’t just empower women, you upgrade the whole system.
TAM: If women truly dominated tech leadership, what would change first: products, workplace culture, or business models and why?
Vibha Jain: It’s the culture women bring in first, whether it is at home or at workplace. And everything else falls in place…culture of discipline, culture of depth, culture of wisdom and culture of continuous development! And this culture becomes the breeding ground of future leaders, be it at home or be it at workplace, efficient products and sustainable ever evolving business models. If it is said that every successful man has a women behind her then is there a doubt that the women herself is capable enough to bring about wonders.
TAM: Is AI amplifying existing gender bias or quietly correcting it? What have you seen on the ground?
Vibha Jain: What AI will do shall depend on how we feed it. By the way, its not neutral to begin with as the historical data glories the counterpart. However, there is an opportunity to correct the bias as AI is still a task taker, to be put to use by humans who can re-train it to bridge the gap. Let’s start making “she” and “her” our default language and we will feel the difference over a period of time. The boardroom stats need to showcase a clear shift to turn the tide at AI. Transform the LLM’s to balance AI.
TAM: What’s the most uncomfortable truth about diversity in tech that no one wants to talk about?
Vibha Jain: Power can be intoxicating! Lack of Power Transfer even when it becomes inevitable, due to subtle biases which remain uncaught every time. The most uncomfortable truth we may or may not like to face.
TAM: What should young women unlearn before entering the tech workforce in 2026?
Vibha Jain: “Unlearn” to learn. Unlearn the myth that merit speaks for itself. In tech, progress often hinges on sponsorship, credibility, and who gets trusted with high-stakes work so make visibility and advocacy part of the job, not an afterthought.
