- Artificial intelligence is a collection of technologies that enables computers to carry out a range of tasks that people usually do.
- Gender bias affects women in AI. Increasing diversity in the industry would help us address gender bias in the field.
- Several women working in the industry are challenging gender bias in AI.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is a group of technologies that helps computers perform various tasks. It can help with analyzing data, interpreting language, providing guidance and making recommendations. However, some documentation describes how AI shows specific biases, including gender bias, particularly against women.
Below, we discuss how gender bias in AI affects women. In addition, we discuss several women in the AI industry addressing these disparities.
How Gender Bias in AI Affects Women
The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report from 2023 reports that only 30% of the AI workforce are women. In addition to this eye-opening statistic, the Berkeley Haas Center for Equity, Gender and Leadership found that nearly 45% of the over 130 AI systems the center analyzed held gender bias.
The diversity of teams developing and working with AI can directly influence the biases within AI systems. Currently, AI data input is commonly male-centered, resulting in outputs that reflect similar biases. This can broaden the gender equality gap. As new technologies emerge, it is important to ensure balanced gender representation in AI development to reduce these biases.
Increasing the number of women in AI development can help balance the perspectives that shape these systems. Empowering and training women entrepreneurs, researchers and developers in the AI industry through education, mentorship and other resources is essential. Achieving gender equality in AI also requires broader societal shifts toward gender equity.
3 Women Addressing the Gender Gap in AI
Access and exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education can drive more women into the AI workforce.
The three women mentioned below are making waves in the AI industry and working to tackle the gender gap in AI through their knowledge and perseverance.
1. Dr. Tasha Austin-Williams
Dr. Tasha Austin-Williams is a Principal of Deloitte’s Risk and Financial Advisory business and the Executive Director of the Deloitte Artificial Intelligence Institute for Government. As a Deloitte Principal, Dr. Austin-Williams steers the organization’s AI efforts and helps trailblaze solutions that bolster client goals.
She is fundamental in Deloitte’s Artificial Intelligence Institute for Government mission to foster ethical AI. In addition, Dr. Austin-Williams helps companies and organizations assess their capacity for and willingness to embrace new technologies such as AI.
Dr. Austin-Williams is well-known in the AI sector, providing expert knowledge through global speaking engagements on topics like the ethical implications of AI and how AI is shaping the world.
2. Dr. Rana el Kaliouby, Ph.D.
Dr. Rana el Kaliouby, Ph.D. is an entrepreneur and the co-founder of software company Affectiva, where she previously served as CEO. Currently, she is the Deputy CEO at Smart Eye and is dedicated to advancing ethical AI development and deployment. Affectiva, an MIT Media Lab spin-off, pioneered AI that interprets cognitive states and human emotions. In 2021, Affectiva was acquired by Smart Eye. Dr. el Kaliouby expanded Emotion AI technology to industries worldwide, reaching nearly 100 countries.
Dr. el Kaliouby was named one of Forbes’ Top 50 Women in Tech in 2018. She is actively involved in organizations such as the World Economic Forum’s Council of Young Global Leaders and Partnership for AI. In addition, Dr. el Kaliouby is the co-founder and general partner of Blue Tulip Ventures. She is also the author of the book, “Girl Decoded,” which focuses on bringing emotional intelligence to technology.
3. Lisa Nelson
Lisa Nelson is the former co-founder and managing director of M12, a venture capital arm of Microsoft. Nelson helped establish M12, formerly known as Microsoft Ventures, in 2016. It is a venture fund that invests in enterprise AI startups that aim to unite people, technology and AI. The company does this through investments, insights and a partnership with Microsoft. She also serves as an independent board member and investor. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Finance and Statistics.
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