Even a century after women began making strides in the workplace, gender inequality persists, specifically in the booming AI industry where women represent just 22% of professionals. This inequality depends on several factors, ranging from disparities in education to issues of stereotyping and bias in the sector.
While AI jobs are growing, very few are occupied by women. Despite accounting for 47.7% of the global workforce and being more likely to hold higher education degrees than men, women constitute only 26% of all AI and data positions. This likely stems from systemic issues rather than direct discrimination, suggesting a persistent gender bias in the sector.
This disparity begins even in education. The World Economic Forum indicates 8.2% of males take information and communication technology degrees, compared to just 1.7% of women. The lack of female faculty members in the tech world and societal pressures for women to focus on “purpose-related” work might explain this gap. However, organizations such as Women Leaders in Digital and AI and initiatives to encourage girls in STEM can help address such issues.
Representation is important, and more female role models are required in the AI sector to help inspire enthusiasm for the field among young girls and teenagers. Organizations to encourage more women in the field can power change. Mentorship and peer-to-peer feedback can enable women to learn from and uplift each other, helping to bridge the gender gap.
Research shows adding more women in the AI and machine learning workforce could offer much-needed perspectives. Instances of gender biases in natural language processing and computer vision systems underline the importance of adequate female input.
UNESCO recommends governments implement gender action plans for integration into national digital policies and dedicated funds to support women and girls in AI systems. Companies should address gender inequality at the recruitment stage and create inclusive environments for female colleagues. This potentially contributes to technological advancements and innovations.
As AI becomes a significant component of daily life, underrepresentation in this field risks having a wider societal impact. Eliminating gender bias and stereotyping becomes crucial to ensure equity and inclusivity in AI applications. Governments, actively implementing gender action plans, and organizations fostering inclusivity could help ensure women thrive in the digital sector.
