Smita Hashim, Chief Product Officer, Zoom Video... ... International Women's Day 2024 Live Updates: Women Leaders on "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress."

Smita Hashim, Chief Product Officer, Zoom Video Communications, Inc.

In the modern work landscape, where technologies like AI are redefining possibilities, Indian women globally are not just participants; they are trailblazers, dismantling long-standing barriers in industries historically dominated by men. Social expectations, limited access to mentorship, and systemic biases while improving are still pervasive. Women leaders are essential to business success broadening employee talent pools and bringing diverse viewpoints to effectively serve a wider range of customers. My accomplishments and those of countless other women, in fields like AI and across tech show how women leaders are driving groundbreaking evolutions and giving confidence to the younger generation

In the field of generative AI, I am proud of launching Zoom AI Companion, our generative AI assistant, included at no additional cost. I love hearing how Zoom AI Companion capabilities such as meeting summaries and smart recordings are saving time and providing flexibility enabling a mother to pick up their child from school while still being able to catch up.

Throughout my career, from being a top student at IIT Kanpur, to securing a PhD to leading product innovation at Zoom, my journey has been about demonstrating that women can do both — lead and innovate in their corporate roles while managing the complexities of household responsibilities. This balancing act requires a supportive network, an unwavering belief in one's abilities, and to stay in the game. I am inspired by remarkable women leaders like Jayshree Ullal, who stands as a beacon of innovation and success. Her exceptional leadership and strategic vision have left an undeniable impact on the world of networking and cloud computing.

Aligning with this year’s International Women's Day theme — ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ India's potential to be a global tech leader can be achieved by harnessing the full spectrum of its talent pool, including the active involvement of women. Steering the nation from women's development to women-led development, the Government of India continues to emphasise the need to empower women in all spheres of life. I am proud that Zoom is a partner to several initiatives in this mission, such as the Gender Samwaad and most recently the World Economic Forum’s Alliance for Global Good - a global alliance focused on enabling gender equality.

Despite the increasing visibility of women leaders in tech, the disparity remains. It's important to challenge and change the narratives around women's roles in technology from the ground up including redefining educational curricula, promoting gender-neutral opportunities, and recognizing the achievements of women in tech at par with their male counterparts. By overcoming these systemic barriers we hope to achieve true gender inclusivity in the industry.