Leading decision-makers, innovators and technology experts will explore AI, leadership, innovation, and social impact

Sharjah: Sharjah is set to host the 7th edition of the Women in Tech Forum, organised by Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK) under the patronage and attendance of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SPARK, on Monday, 21 September 2026, at SPARK headquarters.

Held under the theme “The 2050 Mindset,” this year’s forum places the role of women in technology and innovation within a forward-looking conversation that goes beyond the present, asking a fundamental question: What do we want our lives, businesses, leadership and communities to look like by 2050?

The seventh edition carries a clear message: the future is not something we simply wait for; it is shaped by the decisions we make today. This idea is reflected throughout the forum’s keynote and panel discussions, which explore how technology is redefining the way we live, work and innovate, and how women can play an active role at the heart of these transformations rather than simply benefit from them.

The forum will bring together government leaders, policymakers, business executives, academics, researchers, innovators and representatives of the wider technology and innovation ecosystem to examine some of the forces shaping the future of societies and economies. Key areas of discussion will include artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, leadership in times of uncertainty, innovation and sustainability, entrepreneurship, investment, and technology for social impact.

The first panel, “Leading Through Uncertainty,” will examine how artificial intelligence, geopolitical shifts and economic disruption are reshaping industries and challenging leaders to respond with resilience, strategic vision and adaptability. 

The second panel, “Tech for Good: Women Building Community Impact,” will explore how technology and innovation can address societal and environmental challenges and create meaningful impact for communities through collaboration, inclusion and purpose-driven leadership.

The third panel, “Innovation Through Diverse Perspectives,” will highlight how diverse experiences, ideas and expertise can unlock new opportunities, strengthen collaboration across sectors and drive meaningful innovation, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship, investment and inclusive technology ecosystems.

Emirati women: From participation to shaping the future
The forum takes on particular significance in the United Arab Emirates, where women’s participation in science, technology and future-focused sectors has evolved from an empowerment agenda into an integral part of the country’s development and future-readiness.

Recent data indicates that women account for more than 46% of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and around 70% of university graduates in the UAE, while women represent approximately half of those working in the UAE’s National Space Programme and around 80% of the Hope Probe’s scientific team.
In AI in particular, Emirati women are increasingly contributing to research and advanced technology, alongside a national ecosystem that views AI as a key driver of the next phase of development and the knowledge economy. 

Within this context, the forum explores how artificial intelligence can become one of the most significant areas of opportunity for women when technology is matched with skills, education, leadership and access to opportunity. 

From 2026 to 2050: The future starts with today’s decisions
At the heart of Women in Tech 2026 is the concept of “The 2050 Mindset” — a forward-looking perspective that asks: if the technologies being developed today will reshape work, economies and everyday life over the coming decades, who will lead these transformations, and what role will women play in designing and directing them?

Through keynote talks, panel discussions and networking opportunities, the forum seeks to move the conversation beyond women’s participation in technology towards their role in influencing the direction of technology itself — from AI and emerging technologies to sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation with meaningful impact.

This approach reflects SPARK’s vision of building a platform that brings together the diverse components of the technology and innovation ecosystem, creating opportunities for dialogue, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships. 

Since its launch, the Women in Tech Forum has established itself as a platform for bringing together diverse female voices and expertise to discuss the future of technology. In the 2025 edition, the forum brought together prominent women leaders and experts from the UAE and around the world, with discussions spanning artificial intelligence, robotics, sustainability, health technology and quality of life.