In a world constantly reshaped by tech, Ipsita Dasgupta, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, HP India Market, stands at the forefront of this evolution, championing not just technological innovation but a meaningful cultural shift towards inclusivity.
Reflecting on the representation and participation of women in technology, Dasgupta acknowledges the strides made but underscores the journey ahead. “We are moving in the right direction as far as women’s participation in the technology sector is concerned but we have a long way to go,” she states, emphasising the critical need for accelerated change in India’s workforce dynamics.
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With a robust background spanning over two decades in strategic business roles across global giants like Apple, General Electric, and now HP, Dasgupta brings a nuanced understanding of what it takes to navigate and reshape the tech world. On the eve of International Women’s Day, Digit sat down with Dasgupta to discuss her journey, the evolving role of women in technology, and the future of gaming and AI that HP India is helping spearhead. Edited interview excerpts follow:
One of our key strategies has been to focus on hiring, retaining, and investing in women. Women now make up one-third of our workforce, and this number used to be in the low double digits not too long ago. Key to our success has been our intentional hiring practices and our step-up program, which aims to match internal talent with open positions. We believe that diversity at all levels, especially in P&L roles, brings enormous value to the business. But we still need to help nudge women into these roles; to achieve this, our ‘Disha’ initiative, focuses on enhancing leadership skills for high-potential women, enabling them to advance in their careers. Notably, at HP India, our Product teams for Printing Systems, Gaming, and Sales are all led by women.
I don’t believe there is a way to balance these roles. I let my work and personal lives blend into each other in as natural a way as possible. Many times in my career, I have had to bring my children to work, and many times I have had to pull in my family members to look after my children when I’ve had to take care of an emergent business need. Both men and women have enormous personal challenges, and yet still show up to take on professional roles that are demanding. This is only possible if our social structure supports us and our ability to do both and our professional environments acknowledge that our personal commitments exist. It is true that men still get more support than women do from their personal ecosystems to pursue a career. But we need to change this. I am lucky that I have extremely supportive parents, an extremely supportive spouse, and children who engage with excitement in my desire to make an impact professionally.
I also always point out that I experience at least a dozen acts of kindness a week from people around me, both professionally and personally; this enables me to show up for all my professional and personal commitments. I always tell women that we need networks and community more than anyone because we need help to be able to juggle both. So be kind and build relationships that last.
I was a student of maths and sciences and from a very early age, was encouraged by my mother to pursue subjects and paths where there weren’t enough girls or women. She would emphasise the importance of having a seat at the table and bringing more women to the table.
Technology is going to continue to shape how the world develops and how we progress as a society. Women need to be in the labs, boardrooms, offices, and stages where technology is being created or used. Otherwise, half the global population is not represented in important decision-making and creation.
I tell women leaders to be unabashed about bringing women into their teams and advocating for them. And young women leaders support each other, take on the risks and challenges that come with pursuing an impactful career, and ask for help along the way.
HP has maintained its position as a leader in the PC and Print market in India for many years. Now, our aim is to expand our reach and serve more customers by enabling technology that enhances work, creation, and play experiences. We plan on catering to the needs of all segments of the user base – SMBs, enterprises, and hybrid workforces through a comprehensive portfolio of PC and print solutions backed by our services.
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Gaming is another rapidly growing segment in India. We have noticed a significant increase in the presence of women gamers, as well as other gaming-related professions such as influencers and creators. Our strategy reflects our commitment to catering to their diverse needs. We aim to mainstream gaming in India and create an inclusive ecosystem that welcomes everyone, regardless of level of involvement. Our approach involves delivering innovative technology and immersive gaming experiences. Initiatives like Omen Playground Stores, offering free access to gaming, are aimed at promoting inclusivity and fostering interest among gamers.
One of the trends that genuinely excites us is the transformation of gaming into a viable career option. Our HP India Gaming Landscape Study 2023 reveals that one in three gamers now play for money or recognition, indicating a significant shift in how gaming is perceived. Esports has emerged as a prominent career path, with its inclusion as a medal sport in the Asian Games 2023, featuring seven esports games. This development not only legitimises esports but also encourages more individuals to pursue it as a profession. Competitive opportunities like this build role models for the young. It’s great to watch this sector develop and grow and we love being a part of it.
Additionally, we are also witnessing a surge in professions like gaming influencers, and game creators, further expanding the scope of careers within the gaming industry. Recognizing this trend, HP has introduced the HP Gaming Garage, a free online professional certification program focusing on esports management and game development to equip budding gamers.
We feel AI as a technology will be a game changer overall, particularly in the personal computing landscape and drive increased PC usage across diverse segments. This year, we have begun the rollout of our AI-enhanced PCs, featuring advancements aimed at streamlining tasks, enhancing productivity and creativity. We believe this is a dynamic journey, and we are working with our silicon and software partners to further innovate and bring a technology that will aid AI capabilities in PCs and help transform the user experience. For instance, AI-enhanced PCs will be essential for Indian consumers, benefiting the hybrid workforce, content creators, and professionals. They offer fast data processing, benefiting researchers, analysts, engineers, and developers. In gaming, they will enable immersive experiences and efficient content development, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Our vision is deeply rooted in our commitment to improving PC accessibility and inclusivity through a diversified “future-ready” product portfolio. To achieve this, we are dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, innovative, reliable PCs across India, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or expertise, can benefit from the latest technology.
In the coming years, we anticipate a shift in gamers’ preferences towards seeking more than just hardware devices. They will increasingly desire immersive experiences that enhance their gameplay. Our ambition is to establish HP as the premier gaming solutions brand in the region. We aim to deliver a holistic gaming experience by offering a comprehensive range of products and services that cater to every aspect of gaming.
