TLDR: Singapore Computer Society (SCS), in collaboration with IMDA, has unveiled the SG100WIT List, celebrating the accomplishments of women in technology. This year’s list reflects greater diversity and recognition of women’s roles in tech. At the Tech3 Forum, industry leaders discussed the impact of digitalization on economic recession preparedness. Additionally, the SG100WIT initiative saw a remarkable increase in nominations, highlighting women’s contributions and the growing interest of young women in tech.

Empowering Women in Tech

The Singapore 100 Women in Tech (SG100WIT) List for 2023 has been unveiled in partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). Mrs. Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications & Information, and Patron of the Singapore Women in Tech (SGWIT) movement, revealed this year’s honorees. The list features accomplished women from various industries, showcasing the expanding recognition of women’s roles in the tech sector.

AI Ethics & Governance Advancements

In response to the increasing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and ethics, especially Generative AI (GAI) and large language models (LLMs), the Singapore Computer Society (SCS) has released Version 1.1 of the AI Ethics & Governance Body of Knowledge (BoK). This resource delves into ethical concerns related to these trending AI technologies.

Tech3 Forum on Technology, Talents, and Trends

At the Tech3 Forum held at The Ritz Carlton on September 1, 2023, a thought-provoking panel discussion took center stage. Themed “Are We Ready for Global Recession? How We Can Ride Through It with Digitalization,” the forum featured prominent panelists, including Ms. Lori Beer (Global Chief Information Officer, J.P. Morgan), Mr. Ho Kwon Ping (Founder & Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree), and Mr. Vincent Loy (Assistant Managing Director Technology Group, Monetary Authority of Singapore). They offered insights into recession concerns and how businesses can adapt through digitalization. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Dawn Tan (Presenter, CNA, Mediacorp).

A Record Number of Nominations

The SG100WIT initiative for 2023 received an impressive 800 nominations, marking a nearly one-third increase from the 2021 edition. This surge underscores the growing recognition of women’s contributions to the tech sector. The final list of 100 honorees represents diverse sectors, including semiconductor, aeronautics, and biotechnology, and spans roles such as researchers, business leaders, community activists, and content creators.

Growing Interest in Tech

A noteworthy development is the doubling of nominations in the Girls in Tech category, totaling 31. This surge demonstrates the increasing interest of young women in technology, a crucial step toward nurturing Singapore’s tech talent pool and bridging the gender gap.

Ms. Tan Lee Chew, Chairperson of SG100WIT 2023 Organizing Committee, emphasized the initiative’s evolution into a national platform that highlights the achievements of women and students in technology.

“The SG100WIT list has evolved from inception to its current edition to be a key national initiative that amplifies the brilliant capabilities of women and students in technology. In its third edition, the initiative has grown significantly to include nominees of diverse profiles – including small business owners, teachers, and investors – in addition to business leaders, technologists, entrepreneurs, researchers and students. This year’s list is a testament to the multifaceted role of technology and how impactful it can be in empowering women in different careers. Through this initiative, SCS hopes to inspire more women to embrace technology across different industries in their respective careers and help build a strong pipeline of women and women leaders in technology.”

Ms. Tan Lee Chew, Chairperson of SG100WIT 2023 Organizing Committee