Amazon hosted the 3rd edition of AmazeWIT – Amazon Women in Technology Conference today in Bengaluru, in line with Amazon’s commitment to upskill and provide meaningful career opportunities to women in the technology space. The day-long hybrid conference empowered and provided opportunity for women to learn about innovative technologies and professional development through curated sessions, exchanging best practices, mentoring opportunities and expand their networks.
Focused on the theme ‘Empowering Inclusion, Fostering Belonging’, the event enabled women from across the tech industry to learn through inspirational examples and experiences. The conference featured an engaging agenda, including thought-provoking keynote addresses, technology talks by Amazon leaders and accomplished women in tech, insightful fireside chats, and networking opportunities. AmazeWIT 2023 hosted sessions on topics such as Inclusion and Belonging; Exploring the Spectrum of Cutting-Edge Innovations at Amazon; Building Inclusive Tech Teams; Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence; Technology Behind Amazon Pay.
Amit Agarwal, senior vice president, Amazon India and emerging markets, said, ‘‘India is at the threshold of a digital transformation, one that will have a profound impact on driving inclusion and equity in our society, and women are playing a critical role in shaping it. I am inspired by the many stories I have heard from several women technology leaders across the industry as part of my association with AmazeWIT. I am excited how platforms such as AmazeWIT can be a catalyst for ideation, knowledge-sharing and getting inspired, as the transformation unfolds.’’
The AmazeWIT Conference 2023 brought together 400+ participants, including tech leaders, women in the roles of Software Development Engineers, Technical Program Managers, Business Intelligence Engineers, among others. The event was also attended by women students of science and tech fields, who were selected through a rigorous screening and shortlisting process.
During the event, Amazon Team showcased their latest projects, innovations, and technology visions through informational booths engaging with participants and sharing knowledge about their respective domains.
Speaking about AmazeWIT Conference, Deepti Varma, VP – people experience and technology, Amazon Stores – India, Japan, and Emerging Markets, said, ” At Amazon, we recognise the importance of creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace, and believe that events like AmazeWIT play a crucial role in achieving this goal. Women bring diverse perspectives, creativity, and critical thinking to the table, which have been instrumental in innovating products and technologies. Through Amaze WIT, we aim to empower and encourage women in the tech community, and provide them with a platform to take part in this unique opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference.”
The conference had participation from senior Amazon leaders along with some key industry leaders. The speakers included Mita Mahadevan, director, search relevance, search science and AI, Amazon; Rajiv Chopra, VP, pricing, imaging, and CVNA; Gitanjali Bhutani, director, software development; Liz Gebhard, head of inclusive experiences and technology, Amazon; Shanti Kurupati, senior director of engineering, Y Media Labs, among others.
The conference also saw a special fireside chat between Amit Agarwal, SVP, Amazon India and emerging markets; Sandy Gordon, VP – people experience technology, operations HR; and Vaishali Kasture, director, AWS Tech around ‘Breaking Barriers’ wherein leaders discussed about emerging roles of women in leadership and technology.
The AmazeWIT 2023 Conference not only reaffirmed Amazon’s position as a champion for women in technology but also aimed to leave an indelible mark on the tech community, inspiring women to excel in the world of technology. Amazon is a center for innovation that brought together creators from a variety of backgrounds, specialties, and experiences. The world’s brightest minds are employed by Amazon and provided with a space where they can create and innovate to enhance the general shopping experience for customers around the world. The innovative spirit that is ingrained in the company’s DNA has driven Amazon’s development from a strong e-commerce partner to its current status as a development platform. Amazon seeks to provide straightforward solutions for its customers’ challenging technical and commercial issues.