SUSE Women in Technology event: Why AI’s next opportunity is also a leadership test

On August 5, 2026, SUSE hosted its Women in Technology leadership event, focusing on the critical question of AI's business value for enterprises. Senior women leaders gathered to discuss AI adoption, leadership, career opportunities, and the barriers women still face in technology. The event featured a keynote by Tracy Quah, Marketing Director Asia Pacific, SUSE, followed by a panel discussion titled 'Leading Through the AI Era' with Margaret Dawson, CMO, SUSE, and Krithiga Thakkar, Managing Director, Tech Strategy and Transformation, Accenture. The panel was moderated by Shubhangi Mishra, Senior Creative Lead, YourStory.

AI adoption is rapidly growing across industries, but companies are increasingly focused on quantifiable business value, according to the keynote address by Quah. She positioned AI as a leadership opportunity rather than another technology trend, emphasizing measurable outcomes such as product velocity, resilient infrastructure, secure operations, and empowered teams.

Dawson noted that enterprises have moved through the AI hype cycle unusually quickly, with the initial euphoria followed by disillusionment. The focus is now on determining how AI can help employees become more strategic and productive, rather than simply replacing people with AI agents.

Thakkar observed a shift in conversations with clients, with companies no longer questioning whether to adopt AI but rather what value they will derive and how quickly. This shift could lead to more funded programs with defined goals and accountability, as companies grapple with the cost and complexity of managing multiple AI initiatives simultaneously.

The panel also highlighted that AI encompasses various use cases, from embedded AI in products to internal productivity applications and customer-focused workloads, each requiring different technologies and success metrics. Women must not limit themselves to governance roles but should actively participate in shaping AI's business outcomes, models, and architecture.

Dawson suggested that AI could alter the skills valued in technology leadership, with business strategy and adaptability potentially becoming more crucial as hands-on technical work diminishes. However, the underlying challenge remains the lack of consistent translation of women's skills and talent into leadership positions. Thakkar emphasized that women must be involved in the entire AI lifecycle to create a meaningful reset, with accountability linked to measurable outcomes throughout the process.

The discussion also addressed the disproportionate caregiving responsibilities women often bear, which can lead to career breaks and subsequent exits from technology fields. Both Dawson and Thakkar stressed the importance of women in senior positions building teams that can sustain operations even during leadership transitions, helping to retain women in leadership roles.

Finally, the panel touched on the less obvious biases that can enter AI systems, citing SUSE's experience with an AI agent named Liz, which was eventually given a gender-neutral mascot to avoid reinforcing gender stereotypes.