If AI tools reflect what we put into them, we also have a responsibility not to duplicate or amplify the prejudices that exist in our society. Technology is not neutral because we are not neutral.
Women’ s voices are under – represented
If AI tools reflect what we put into them, we also have a responsibility not to duplicate or amplify the prejudices that exist in our society. Technology is not neutral because we are not neutral.
action, and education, to name just a few areas. We need sociologists and philosophers. And we need to bring in those who understand the dynamics of underserved communities.
Women’ s voices are under – represented
One of the most glaring gaps is the lack of gender diversity in building AI tools. Women bring perspectives that are crucial for responsible AI development, and right now, women’ s voices are significantly underrepresented in the field. This is a problem not just for the women being excluded, but also for responsible AI development and for the promise of AI to serve humanity. Responsible AI has the power to identify and solve previously‘ unseen’ or overlooked problems in society and to serve communities that all too often tend to go unnoticed.
Research from the Berlin-based think-tank, Interface, suggests women make up only 22 % of AI professionals worldwide and even less so( 14 %) 5 in senior AI executive roles. I proudly work to advocate for more diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship and the business ranks— and particularly the representation of female voices. That’ s partly because the gender gap is so glaring. But it’ s also about the immense positive potential of AI solutions. Women consistently express more concern about the societal impacts of AI, such as safe use, misinformation, or bias. 6 Women also often focus on markets that are underserved and on topics that are underexplored, such as women’ s health issues or financial inclusion.
One example of many is the work of Gina Romero, a Filipino-British entrepreneur and She Shapes AI Global Council member, whose social enterprise Mettamatch works to“ redefine the data services landscape, embracing social responsibility and advancing ethical AI”. Its large network of female AI data-annotators are fairly compensated and treated with respect. The organization empowers women through entrepreneurship, freelancing and remote work. It upskills and reskills women for the future of work. Thanks to this platform, its women employees are able to care for their families, access valuable AI training, and benefit from a secure source of income— a real game-changer.
If we are to use AI to address society’ s most complex issues, we can’ t only invite a subset of the population into the discussion. And we can’ t afford to continue to seriously underfund female AI entrepreneurs and to sideline innovation happening outside of Silicon Valley.
The Kyndryl Institute Journal 45