AI and Gender Divide

As India strives to establish itself as a global economic power, its aspiration is rooted in one key principle: inclusive growth, which will be a driving factor in the country’s growth over the next few decades. 

Inclusivity and diversity are no longer concerns that India or the global world can overlook; they must be made cornerstones in policy planning, implementation, and enforcement in every sector. 

The Need For Overcoming the Gender Barrier 

The potential benefits of unlocking the “gender dividend” are well-documented. Industries worldwide have reaped significant rewards by empowering women in the workforce and leadership roles. At the same time, India has made gender inclusivity a prime focus, and many women have been empowered to enter the workforce at the grassroots level and in top leadership roles. 

This also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls to end discrimination, build more autonomy, ensure full participation, and give women equal opportunities. 

AI and Gender Equality 

As technology extends beyond its realm with AI, it is important to address the gender gap so that women can not only fully benefit from the digital transition but also consider how these digital transitions can help accelerate their inclusion. With generative AI and machine learning set to reshape industries, the economic and social implications for women remain uncertain. In this context, there are some strategies that need to be taken into consideration to increase the number of women in AI:

• Women need to be included in AI design and decision-making process so that technology can be inclusive and biased algorithms are not created. Lack of women representation can reinforce the existing inequalities, defeating the purpose of using technology to empower women. 
• Women make up only 35% of STEM graduates– a figure that has not changed in the last 10 years. To bring more women in positions to design AI and ML, there is a need to increase STEM education and AI training for women to lay the foundation of their active participation. 
• While it is a well-known fact that having more women in leadership role can help removing gender bias in AI, only 33% companies currently have a women in charge of making decisions on AI strategy. This presents an opportunity for companies to bring on more women in this role and ensuring sustainability of their organisations. 

Additionally,

• AI holds the potential to upskill women and empower those who have been out of the workforce to reskill and re-enter the job market. 
• AI can also be used a tool for gender equality by removing disparities in access to education, healthcare, and financial services. AI-powered platforms provide women with more learning opportunities and access to resources tailored to their needs. 
• Bridging the gender gap also requires the bridging of digital divide in the rural and urban areas. Targeted policies and initiatives must focus on digital literacy and equal access to technology so that women can reap the benefits of these advancements. 
• AI can also help in addressing social issues of safety, harassment reporting and health issues. AI- driven analytics can help police personnel, law enforcement agencies, government bodies and private companies to identify and mitigate gender disparities in workplace dynamics. 

To drive gender equality in technology and AI, there is a need for government, private sectors, academic institutions and NGOs to come together and work on the solutions to make generative AI more inclusive. India is at a pivotal position to lead the way in terms of building more policy that focus on such inclusiveness and driving sustainable growth. Today, AI provides a level playing field and an equal starting point for men and women equally as everyone is still exploring its uses and benefits. By exploiting this opportunity, nations stand to benefit vastly by including more women in this field and creating truly transformative and inclusive societies. 

The CII Indian Women Network is mainstreaming women and men into understanding the challenges women face when entering the workforce through mentorship programs, workshops and collaborative networking opportunities. With a mission to co-create ecosystems that enable women to live up to their truest potential, it is an important catalyst in bridging the gender barrier and bringing equality in all fields including technology and AI.