To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Gaia-X is launching “Her Voice in Tech: 3 questions with…”, a campaign designed to amplify the voices of women within the Gaia-X community who are driving change, fostering collaboration, and shaping the digital future.
In this first interview, Laure De Cock, Innovation Specialist Mobility at imec and co-leader of the Gaia-X smart cities ecosystem, shares her thoughts on the power of visibility, the importance of fostering inclusion in tech from an early age, and how Gaia-X can help build a more transparent and fair data economy.
- As a woman in tech, how have you leveraged your voice to drive change in your field?
I make it a priority to be visible, to speak up, and to share my ideas and insights—both in my work and within the broader tech community. It’s easy to feel self-doubt in a field where women are still underrepresented, but our perspectives are valuable and necessary. Instead of trying to conform, I believe in embracing authenticity. By doing so, we contribute to a greater diversity of thought, which can only be beneficial for the industry.
- What change would you like to see in the tech industry that will empower future generations of women?
Change starts early. We must encourage curiosity and exploration in all children—not just steering girls toward dolls but also introducing them to robots, science kits, and problem-solving activities. The more we foster diverse interests from a young age, the more women will confidently enter and shape the tech industry. As more women participate, the culture of tech will naturally evolve—becoming more inclusive, balanced, and innovative.
- What problem in your industry do you hope Gaia-X will solve in the next five years?
Gaia-X represents a ground-breaking effort to create a fairer, more transparent data economy. Its technologies enable data sovereignty, interoperability, and transparency—addressing some of the most pressing challenges in tech today, including AI modelling and data security. Gaia-X has the potential to level the playing field and empower businesses and individuals to collaborate in a way that is secure, ethical, and future-proof. By fostering a more inclusive tech ecosystem, it ensures that opportunities are not limited to industry giants but are also accessible to underrepresented players. What could be a more meaningful mission to support?