Women at the Heart of Innovation

Welcome to Institute Insights, where TBI experts bring to life our work enabling political leaders to drive change that transforms lives.

In this edition of Institute Insights, to mark International Women’s Day, TBI CEO Catherine Rimmer reflects on the power of diverse leadership and Managing Director, Middle East and Eastern Europe Hala Ataya Ghandour highlights the urgency of ensuring women play a central role in AI’s development and governance. We also have a special contribution from Mirlinda Karcanaj, one of our government clients, who shares her experience of leading on digital transformation as Director General of the National Agency of Information Society/Agjencia Komb?tare e Shoq?ris? s? Informacionit (AKSHI) in Albania.

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Today Is International Women’s Day

At TBI, we don’t wait for one day a year to celebrate women in leadership – we live it every day. As CEO of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, where 51 per cent of our people are women, many in senior leadership roles, I know firsthand the impact of diverse, empowered teams. Few CEOs can say the same.

And the data are clear: diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing. As McKinsey & Company has shown, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 21 per cent more likely to outperform on profitability and 27 per cent more likely to create superior value.

Across TBI, in every country, team and level of our organisation, remarkable women are driving real change. Our mission is to reimagine the state for the 21st century – helping political leaders leverage and master the technology revolution to create meaningful change for their people.

Empowering women isn’t a symbolic gesture; it’s a proven strategy for success. That’s why it’s core to how we work – not just today, but every day.

If AI Is Rewriting the Rules, Who’s in the Room Shaping Them?

This International Women’s Day, we recognise both how far we’ve come and the opportunities still ahead. Artificial intelligence is transforming industries – from hiring and lending to health care and governance – and offers immense potential to drive inclusion and equity. But to truly realise that promise, the people designing AI must reflect the world it’s meant to serve.

Today, women make up just 22 per cent of the AI workforce, a gap that risks carrying old inequalities into the digital future. But there’s a chance to change that. By breaking down barriers in AI development, governance, entrepreneurship and funding, we can ensure that AI isn’t just a tool for progress but a catalyst for a more inclusive world.

Governments, businesses and institutions have a pivotal role to play in shaping AI for the better. The good news? The momentum for change is here – and with collective action, we can build a future where technology serves everyone, equally.

Moving Beyond Algorithmic Fairness: Designing AI for Inclusion

The conversation on AI can’t stop at fairness – it must be built with inclusion at its core. The good news? There are powerful levers for change that can drive real progress:

? Leveraging AI Policy to Advance Gender Equity

Governments have a unique opportunity to embed transparency, bias audits and accountability into AI systems – ensuring these tools actively promote equity in economies, education and daily life.

? Investing in AI Literacy and Leadership for Women

Across the world, from the Middle East to Africa, new initiatives are equipping women with AI fluency – ensuring they’re not just participants but leaders in shaping the digital economy.

? Using AI to Drive Inclusive Policymaking

AI is already helping policymakers make smarter, more inclusive decisions – from improving economic access to designing safer cities and reimagining public services that better reflect women’s realities.

Scaling Women-Led Innovation: A Global Opportunity

Women-led innovation is a powerful force in AI and digital transformation. Studies show women-founded startups deliver higher returns – yet they continue to receive only a fraction of global venture-capital funding.

The solution? Intentional, action-driven change:

• Expanding investment mechanisms that prioritise women-led AI ventures
• Building innovation hubs that connect female founders to mentorship and networks
• Using AI-powered financial tools to improve access to capital

Building a Digital Future That Works for Everyone

AI is more than just technology – it’s about shaping the future. Right now, the playing field isn’t level, but we have the tools to change that.

At TBI, we work with governments and partners to ensure digital transformation opens doors rather than closes them. AI has the power to drive inclusion and equity – if we design and govern it that way.

This International Women’s Day, the call to action is clear: women must be at the table – not just in conversations about AI but in building the future it will create.

The digital revolution is unfolding. Let’s make it work for everyone.

Albania’s Digital Revolution: Leading the Future of E-Governance

As part of TBI’s International Women’s Day celebrations, we’re turning the spotlight onto one of our government clients, Director General Mirlinda Karcanaj of the National Agency of Information Society/Agjencia Komb?tare e Shoq?ris? s? Informacionit (AKSHI) in Albania.

With support from TBI’s government-advisory team, Albania has become a regional leader in e-governance. Ninety-five per cent of public services are now available exclusively online, eliminating queues and inefficiencies that create barriers to entry, so a smartphone is all it takes to access essential facilities.

This transformation is the result of a clear government vision and the relentless efforts of AKSHI, which I have proudly led since 2013. But this is just the beginning. With AI, big data, blockchain and cloud computing, we are continuing to shape the future of governance.

AI: The Next Chapter in Albania’s Digital Future

Albania’s digital transformation is more than just technology; it’s about building a smarter government, aligning AI and innovation with inclusivity to ensure advances benefit everyone.

The next round of reform is already in progress. In January 2025, we launched our AI-powered virtual assistant 2.0, a human-like avatar providing real-time support to citizens. AI is also upgrading tax and customs systems, with real-time fraud detection and automated public procurement. In health care and education, AI-driven smart platforms are improving outcomes, helping doctors deliver personalised treatments faster and more accurately, and providing customised learning pathways for students. We are also leveraging AI to accelerate Albania’s European Union alignment in record time.

Next on the agenda is a national AI strategy aligned with the EU AI Act, prioritising transparency, security and accountability to ensure AI serves the public responsibly. Digital progress must always go hand in hand with data protection and citizens’ trust.

When I look at how far Albania’s digital transformation has come, I feel immense pride. Our work is more than just digitalising services, it’s about re-engineering the way government functions. From public services to private-sector businesses, we have embedded digital solutions across key sectors, improving transparency, accessibility and efficiency for millions of Albanians, with the help of TBI.

Mirlinda Karcanaj is Director General of AKSHI and a computer-science PhD with expertise in IT, data analysis and digital transformation. She brings innovation and leadership from her time in academia, IT management in Canada and the Tirana municipality’s IT department.

Experts in Action

• TBI Director of Health Policy Dr Charlotte Refsum will be at Digital Health Rewired taking part in a fireside discussion on how digital care records could enable integrated care and accelerate future health and care services.

When: ?? Tuesday 18 March 2025? 12:00 to 12:45pm (GMT)??NEC Birmingham

• TBI Director of Climate and Energy Policy Lindy Fursman will be at Innovation Zero’s World Congress delivering a keynote on how policymakers, financiers and business leaders are driving low-carbon investments in non-OECD countries.

When: ?? Tuesday 29 April 2025? 3:50 to 4:20pm (BST)??Olympia London

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