Women Technology Leaders at Cairo ICT 2026: AI Empowers Female Entrepreneurs and Expands Access to Market Intelligence
Women leaders in the technology sector said artificial intelligence is becoming an important tool for simplifying business operations, improving access to information and supporting entrepreneurship, but it cannot replace human thinking, creativity or decision-making.
Speaking during a session at Cairo ICT 2026, the executives emphasized the need to equip individuals with the skills required to use AI effectively, verify its outputs and maintain strong cybersecurity awareness as digital adoption expands.
Marwa Abbas: Women Account for More Than 42% of Egypt's Annual Graduates
Marwa Abbas, CEO of Raya Information Technology, said artificial intelligence has significantly changed lifestyles and working methods by making many everyday tasks easier.
She stressed that individuals need the right skills and experience to use AI tools effectively and responsibly, adding that choosing one's personal and professional path remains an individual decision.
Abbas noted that balancing professional ambitions with personal life was a challenge even before the emergence of AI, while adopting a mindset based on personal choice can influence how individuals approach their lives and make decisions.
She also pointed out that Egypt produces around 300,000 graduates annually, with women accounting for more than 42% of the total, highlighting the importance of developing human capabilities and making better use of female talent in the labor market.
Abbas added that AI applications can serve as digital assistants that help users complete tasks, but they do not eliminate the need for human judgment and decision-making. As more institutions adopt AI services, she said, continuous skills development is becoming increasingly important.
Sionara Al-Asmar: AI Will Not Replace Women or Men
Sionara Al-Asmar, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the Egyptian Credit Bureau I-Score, said artificial intelligence helps organizations collect, analyze and access information, but it will not replace people in roles that require human experience and interaction.
Improving Access to Women's Credit Data
Al-Asmar explained that obtaining sufficient credit information about women can be challenging in some areas. However, a lack of conventional credit records does not mean that relevant information is unavailable.
She said alternative sources, including employment records, insurance coverage and electricity meters registered in women's names, can help build a more comprehensive customer profile.
Such information enables I-Score to conduct credit assessments and scoring for both men and women.
Women's Leadership and Professional Potential
Al-Asmar expressed confidence in Egyptian women's ability to achieve their ambitions, pointing to their capacity to manage multiple responsibilities across professional, family and personal life.
She also highlighted the growing presence of women in leadership positions across government ministries, governorates, diplomatic roles and charitable organizations.
Verifying AI-Generated Information
She stressed that keeping pace with technological developments requires learning how to use AI tools while recognizing their limitations. AI-generated information should not automatically be treated as accurate, she said, as outputs may be incomplete or incorrect and must be reviewed before being used.
Nermeen Zaki: Some Jobs May Disappear, but Human Creativity Will Remain
Nermeen Zaki, Marketing Manager at Cisco, said the rapid development of artificial intelligence is creating new challenges for the global labor market.
She noted that some jobs may disappear as AI capabilities advance, making it essential for workers to update their skills and gain the knowledge needed to use these technologies effectively.
Zaki explained that users should understand the problems AI can help solve and identify repetitive tasks where it can improve efficiency.
She also emphasized the importance of reviewing and analyzing AI-generated data to identify inaccuracies or misleading information, stressing that human oversight must remain part of the process.
In addition, she highlighted the need to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and protect personal and corporate data against breaches as digital tools become more widely used.
Zaki concluded that human creativity will remain important regardless of how advanced AI becomes, describing technology as a tool that supports people rather than replaces them.
Engy Abbas: AI Creates New Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs
Engy Abbas, Business Development and Regional Development Lead for North Africa, the Levant and the Middle East at Intel, said Cairo ICT continues to address different areas of technology, including women's empowerment. She also noted her participation in the exhibition over the past 30 years.
Abbas said technology is ultimately intended to improve people's quality of life and simplify everyday activities. She described artificial intelligence as a major global development that has made numerous tasks and business processes easier.
She explained that AI can support women entrepreneurs by simplifying project management and helping business owners access the information they need to develop their activities.
Abbas pointed to successful examples of Egyptian women entrepreneurs who have used technological developments to grow their businesses and expand their operations. She added that advances in AI tools during the COVID-19 pandemic also helped facilitate remote work.
She further noted that AI can provide detailed market information, including prices of products and services and available alternatives, helping entrepreneurs make more informed decisions and improve business efficiency.
She also called for greater attention to children's ideas and perspectives, emphasizing the role technology can play in developing their capabilities and improving their lives.
Cairo ICT 2026 Highlights Practical AI Applications
Cairo ICT is one of the region's leading events for the communications and information technology industries. Its 2026 edition is held under the patronage of the Prime Minister, with a focus on practical AI applications and their role in improving services, business efficiency and innovation.
The accompanying events include the third edition of the AI, Data Centers and Cloud Computing exhibition and conference, AIDC²; the 13th edition of the Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion exhibition and conference, PAFIX, held under the auspices of the Central Bank of Egypt; and the sixth edition of Connecta, dedicated to gaming, smart devices and entertainment technology.
The Innovation Arena also provides startups and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase their solutions and products and connect with investors, business partners and organizations supporting innovation.
