Governing AI and Women

By Daisy Radford , Founding Managing Director, Sponsors In Tech.

In a 2024 article by United Nations University titled "Now Is Our Chance to Govern AI for Women’s Empowerment," the intersection of artificial intelligence and gender equality is put under the spotlight.

The piece makes a compelling argument that, AI becoming increasingly embedded in our daily lives, now is the time to act- before gender biases become further entrenched in our technological infrastructure. As AI continues to evolve, we have a unique opportunity to ensure that women play a central role in its development and governance, not just for the sake of equity, but for the sake of better technology itself. 

Drawing from this thought-provoking analysis, let’s explore some of the key issues at play:  

The Missing Half of the Equation

One of the central points from the UN University article is the staggering gender gap in AI, with women comprising only 22% of the workforce in this critical field.

This underrepresentation goes beyond just a lack of diversity; it actively shapes the systems we use every day. AI learns from data, and when the teams building these systems are predominantly male, the algorithms can reflect and perpetuate the biases that exist in the real world. We see this in everything from facial recognition software that performs worse on women and people of colour to hiring algorithms that favour the dominant gender candidates.

With the rapid adoption of AI in sectors like healthcare, finance, and law enforcement, we risk embedding biased decision-making into the fabric of society if women aren't involved in the creation and oversight of these technologies.

Governing for Equality: It Takes a Village

How to governance such a dynamic technology? A core theme the article rightly stresses that AI development can’t be left to police solely by private companies or individual governments; it requires a collaborative effort.

The UN’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence is an example of this. By bringing together diverse perspectives, particularly from women and marginalised groups, we can ensure AI considers the masses. Without this collective approach, we risk creating systems that exacerbate existing inequalities, rather than alleviating them.

It’s not hard to draw parallels to other governance models where inclusivity has been key. Look at climate change governance. More sustainable solution are achieved when indigenous communities are part of the discussions, solutions are then tailored to the needs of the ecosystems and people who are most affected. AI governance can learn from this approach. Diverse voices lead to better outcomes—not just morally, but practically too.

The Clock is Ticking: Global Initiatives Hold Promise

The article makes it clear that time is of the essence. Global initiatives like the Action Coalition are making progress, but much more needs to be done.

Closing the gender gap in AI and technology isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s a global issue, one that affects us all.

As the World Economic Forum’s "Global Gender Gap Report" has consistently shown, societies that invest in education, mentoring, and breaking down systemic barriers are closing the gender gap in technology and those countries are seeing broader economic and social benefits.

We know the path forward: more representation, better governance, and equitable access to education and opportunities. The question is whether we have the political will and societal drive to make it happen.

As we stand on the cusp of an AI revolution, now is the time to ensure that women are not just participants but leaders in shaping the technologies that will define our future. The cost of failure is simply too high.

In the end, AI can be a tool for empowerment, but only if we make the deliberate choice to govern it that way. Let’s make sure we do.

https://unu.edu/article/now-our-chance-govern-ai-womens-empowerment, the article was first published by The Japan Times to commemorate International Women's Day 2024. Read the original article on The Japan Times website.