International Women’s Day is not just a moment for reflection, but a call to action. Advancements in AI are reshaping industries, societies and economics. However, the role of women in AI remains small. This is not just an issue of representation, it’s a challenge that impacts ethics, innovation, and the future of technology. The lack of gender diversity in tech has been an issue for a long time, but when it comes to AI, the consequences of this inequality are even more significant.

If we fail to create a female-friendly environment in AI, we are risking developing technology that will not reflect the perspective and needs of 50% of the population in the world.

Failing to create a diverse AI environment risks developing technology that ignores the needs of 50% of the population.

Why does gender matter in AI?

If the AI gender gap remains, we’ll see three major problems develop:

• Women will struggle to advance in their careers. If they aren’t using technology that increases productivity, women will fall behind their male counterparts, widening the gender gap and leading to fewer job opportunities.
• The growth of businesses and economies will suffer because, without women in AI, they will not be as productive as they could be.
• Generative AI models learn and improve by gathering new information, not just from the data but also from the prompt that users usually provide. If the perspectives of women are missing, AI systems will begin developing bias and reinforce gender stereotypes.

The gender gap in AI is a barrier to innovation

The AI sector is a male-dominated field, and women represent a very small fraction of AI engineers, researchers and executives. Despite the effort of promoting diversity and artificial intelligence, the numbers show a harsh reality. According to the World Economic Forum, only 22% of AI professionals are women. This underrepresentation is not a coincidence: it is a result of societal bias, unequal opportunities and little mentorship for women in data science and AI-related careers. The lack of tech workforce diversity has also been hampering innovation.

AI thrives on diverse data sets, and when systems are designed by a homogeneous group, there is a high chance that an entire demographic may be misrepresented. There have been cases of AI-driven facial recognition misidentifying women, and this is a clear indication of what can happen when diversity is not taken into consideration. Without advancing women in AI, the industry will develop technologies that will fail to be fair, inclusive, or ethically sound.

The AI gender gap is a barrier to innovation.

Inspiring the next generation to reduce gender disparity

A key reason for gender disparity in AI is the lack of role models for young women who are interested in entering this field. The absence of female leadership in tech will discourage young girls from seeing themselves in related career fields. When young women see successful figures in data science, AI and machine learning, they will pursue these fields with confidence.

Sponsorship programs and mentorship play an important role in bridging the gender gap in AI. Educational institutions and companies should actively create initiatives which will encourage young women to develop an interest in AI and data science from a very early age. Networking opportunities, scholarships and visibility are also essential to get rid of the disparity.

Companies must accept women in AI

It has been observed that a diverse team can outperform a homogeneous team when it comes to creativity, problem-solving and financial performance. When companies begin understanding diversity in AI, they are opening doors to innovative solutions and a great range of market insights. There is no denying that women bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table that can lead the development of AI technologies and make them more effective and inclusive.

For instance, AI applications in healthcare benefit from the output of women, as the gender bias in medical research has led to inaccurate diagnoses and treatments for female patients. In a similar way, AI-driven financial tools that overlook the behaviour of women can create services that fail to meet their needs. Women in data science and AI can bring about the diversity that will ensure that technology serves the global audience.

When companies start to understand diversity in AI, they are opening doors to innovative solutions.

Institutional support for women in AI fields

Educational institutions, corporations, and governments should play an important role in advancing women in AI. Policy changes like parental leave, anti-discrimination laws and equal pay are important in ensuring that women have an inclusive environment in tech. Organisations should also focus on hiring, retaining and promoting women in AI-related roles. 

Companies that commit to tech workforce diversity can start implementing gender balance, hiring policies, workplace cultures that encourage inclusion, and leadership training programmes. If sponsorship programs are provided that will directly support the growth of women, this will also increase the number of women in AI and lead to long-term, meaningful changes.

How is SAWiT tackling the AI gender disparity? 

South Asian Women in Tech is a pioneer organisation that is dedicated to empowering women in AI across South Asia. We offer several initiatives that are designed to support women in advancing their careers in AI.

We have created a community where women can expand their professional connections. Our members have access to interest-based communities, which help them to network with other women in tech. We also host enriching offline and online professional events that facilitate meaningful interactions. We provide access to personalised job opportunities to enhance career prospects. Our members receive personalised job matches and best-fit opportunities to make sure they never miss out on potential career advancements.

We understand how important it is to keep learning continuously. That’s why SAWiT also offers a library of upskilling courses. Our members receive personalized course recommendations to guide their learning journey. Mentorship is a key factor for helping women build AI careers: our members receive guidance from industry-leading experts and network with ambitious women who are leading in AI.

Key Takeaways 

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this should be a reminder that the fight for women in AI is not only about the numbers, it’s about the future of technology. The inclusion of female leadership in tech is no longer a necessity. It’s non-negotiable. It is time to dismantle all the barriers that keep women from thriving in AI. The world needs more women in AI, and this is the right time to act.