Forum highlights economic benefits of women in leadership

The Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business concluded its 12th Women in Leadership Forum on Tuesday, bringing together over 500 executives and leaders to discuss how women are spearheading innovation in technology, branding, and intellectual property.

The annual forum, held in Beijing, has become a key platform in China for addressing women's leadership and its impact on the economy.

CKGSB Dean Li Haitao underscored the school's commitment to gender parity, noting that the percentage of women in CKGSB's MBA program has risen to 49 percent, a significant leap from just 16 percent in 2003.

"The Women in Leadership Forum has become a vital cross-sector platform where policymakers and business leaders gather to exchange insights, share experiences, and inspire new possibilities," Li said.

Wang Chuqiao, head of office at UN Women China, advocated for increasing the promotion of women into leadership roles, making the case that businesses have strong financial incentives to do so.

"When women hold more board positions, companies not only perform better in the market, but also manage volatility more effectively," Wang said during the event.

The forum also highlighted new research on the impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Zhang Xiaomeng, associate professor of organizational behavior at CKGSB presented findings suggesting that women are adopting AI more readily than men.

Her research indicated that individuals with higher education and more workplace experience are more likely to accept and use AI. While 85 percent of survey respondents expressed a fear of being replaced by AI, Zhang said that frequent use of AI reduces anxiety among employees.

Industry leaders echoed the theme of women's distinct advantages in the age of AI. Poh-Yian Koh, president of FedEx China, argued that women's flexibility and resilience are transforming into core business strengths.

"Women not only possess exceptional empathy and long-term strategic vision, but are also especially skilled at building bridges, serving as indispensable 'interpreters' who connect technology with humanity," Koh said.

The forum concluded with a powerful keynote from Yang Lan, renowned Chinese TV host and chairperson of the Sun Media Group.

"When we enable more women to realize their life potential and gain their resilience, we are actually shaping a more resilient China," she stated.

The event also marked the launch of a new bilingual report, She Innovates: Women Shaping China's Digital Future. The publication spotlights seven CKGSB alumnae entrepreneurs who are making strides in sectors such as AI, health-tech, and e-commerce, alongside Professor Zhang's research on AI's effect on workplace well-being.