Iranian-Australian cyber security executive Maryam Shoraka has been named the 2026 Global Cybersecurity AI Ethics Woman of the Year, earning international recognition for her leadership in artificial intelligence governance and cyber resilience.
The award was presented in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, following a global selection process involving 4,980 nominations from nearly 70 countries. Shoraka was chosen ahead of finalists from the United States and France.
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“Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, but technology alone does not determine outcomes – leadership does,” Shoraka said in a 10 July statement.
“Responsible AI requires governance, accountability and resilience to be designed into organisations from the outset. Trust is built through leadership, and leadership is ultimately measured by the confidence it creates.”
Shoraka’s work focuses on helping boards and executive teams translate complex cyber security and AI risks into governance frameworks, risk management strategies, and organisational decision making. She has advocated for treating cyber security and AI ethics as complementary disciplines rather than separate functions, arguing that responsible AI requires strong governance, resilience and human oversight.
Rather than focusing solely on technical controls, Shoraka has promoted an integrated approach that combines technology, governance and executive leadership to support responsible innovation and long-term organisational resilience.
The recognition comes at a time when organisations worldwide are facing mounting pressure to establish robust AI governance frameworks as new regulations emerge and AI systems become embedded across critical business operations.
The Global Cybersecurity AI Ethics Woman of the Year award acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated leadership in advancing responsible AI, ethical technology practices and cyber security governance on an international stage.
Shoraka is currently an associate director, cyber security (IT and OT), at technology firm AirTrunk.
