Did you know that women comprise only 22% of AI talent globally, and only 14% bag senior executive roles? There is no denying that artificial intelligence is shaping the future of industries and influencing everything from finance to healthcare, but an issue that remains constant is the gender gap. Despite an increased awareness of the significance of diversity in technology, women are significantly underrepresented in AI and machine learning roles. The disparity is not just about fairness. It also affects quality, effectiveness and ethical considerations. Without equal female representation in AI, and a lack of diverse perspectives, the risk of biased algorithms and missed opportunities for innovation keep growing.

The question is, why does the STEM gender gap in AI continue to exist despite the efforts to close it? Let’s dive into this.

Women are hugely underrepresented in AI workforces.

Lack of early exposure and encouragement

A significant reason for the STEM gender gap is the lack of encouragement for young girls to pursue careers in AI. Educational systems reinforce traditional gender roles, which lead fewer girls to opt for mathematics, science or engineering degrees. If girls are exposed to AI robotics and coding at an early age, they will start developing an interest in this field - but without strong mentorship, most women are discouraged from taking up these career paths.

Bias in workplace culture

The bias women face in hiring or promotions is a key factor in AI workforce inequality. Even when women enter the AI workforce, the majority of firms have male leadership. This can build an environment where it is difficult for women to have their voices heard, and creates a cycle where few women will be hired, reinforcing workforce inequality.

Pay gap and no career advancement opportunities

The gender gap in AI is also visible in pay disparities. Women in AI roles usually earn less than their male counterparts, and few receive promotions. This has discouraged many women from continuing in the field and has led to high dropout rates.

Absence of female role models and mentorship

Having female mentors in AI can be a game changer for young women who are interested in entering this field. However, the low female representation in AI has made it difficult for women to find role models who can guide and inspire them. Lack of mentorship opportunities means that fewer women will gain the required confidence, skills, or connections that are required to progress in AI-related careers.

A lack of female mentors are hampering career progression for women in AI.

How is SAWiT addressing the gender disparity in AI?

Despite the increasing challenges of gender inequality in AI, organisations like South Asian Women in Technology (SAWiT) are working to bridge this gap. SAWiT is committed to empowering women in AI and technology through networking opportunities, skill development, career resources, and mentorship.

Creating strong network opportunities

A huge challenge for women in tech is not having access to professional networks. We provide a platform where women in AI can directly connect with peers, mentors and industry leaders. We are building a strong community which helps women develop the relationships they need to advance in their careers and gain visibility in AI.

Personalised job opportunities and career guidance

We use AI-driven tools to match women with career opportunities that are personalized for their skills. Members receive tailored job alerts and have access to tech-related and AI roles. This initiative not only helps to increase female representation in AI, but also ensures that women find workplaces which are inclusive and supportive.

Upskilling programmes for women in AI

One of our core initiatives is our extensive upskilling programmes. We understand that AI is rapidly changing, so we provide tailored courses on machine learning, AI, data science and many other tech skills. These learning resources help women stay competitive and make sure they have the required knowledge and expertise to excel in AI-driven careers.

Mentorship programmes for supporting career growth

Mentorship is known to play a very important role in addressing the gender disparity. We connect members with experienced industry professionals who provide technical training, career guidance and leadership development. Through this, we ensure that women in AI have the required support needed to eliminate workplace challenges and reach leadership positions.

Partnership with industry leaders

We collaborate with tech companies, corporate partners and educational institutions to help women access exclusive job opportunities, leadership programs and scholarships. SAWiT works with companies who are committed to reducing AI workforce inequality and encouraging more women to enter and thrive in AI roles.

SAWiT partners with companies and institutions to help women access job opportunities, leadership programs and scholarships.

Why SAWiT’s work matters

The gender gap represents a great loss of potential talent in a crucial industry. AI is becoming increasingly vital for innovation and economic growth and, without women, we are only operating at a partial capacity. Addressing the gender gap in AI is not just about equality, but it is also important for developing AI systems that work equitably for our whole society.

A diverse workforce will lead to ethical and effective AI systems, as different perspectives will help in eliminating bias in the algorithms. Increasing female representation in AI will contribute to stronger innovation, better decision-making and an inclusive tech industry.

Our approach at SAWiT is making a difference by ensuring that women are empowered at every stage of their AI journey, from learning new skills to securing leadership roles. We have proved that an inclusive AI industry is absolutely possible. At SAWiT, we will continue to challenge inequality and pave the way for a future where AI will not just be built by everyone but will be for everyone.

Impact stories

The effectiveness of SAWiT’s initiatives is best expressed by our members’ experiences. Here is what they have to say:

• Priya M, who is a software engineer, has expressed her excitement about participating in the SAWiT Learnathon and mentioned that it is an opportunity for her to engage with the community while also acquiring new AI skills.
• Nisha K is a product manager who has appreciated our community aspect and mentioned that it is a space to connect with other women in tech and also access resources like Gemini Pro Token and Collab Pro.

Key Takeaways 

While gender disparity in AI remains a major issue, it is not unsolvable. Through education, networking, mentorship, and proper career support, the gap can be bridged. If we actually want AI to serve the entire human race, we have to make sure that women in tech have a seat at the table.