Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping our world, but it also threatens to reinforce existing gender inequalities unless urgent action is taken. Despite AI’s potential to accelerate progress towards gender equality, it often perpetuates harmful biases embedded in society and data, disproportionately affecting women and girls globally. Addressing how AI mirrors gender bias and finding solutions to close this divide are critical steps towards an equitable digital future.
Understanding AI and Gender Bias
AI systems learn from vast amounts of data that reflect social realities, including longstanding gender prejudices. Nearly 44% of AI systems have shown bias, resulting from training data predominantly generated by or about men. This data gap means AI-powered decisions frequently overlook or misinterpret women’s experiences, especially when symptoms, behaviors, or preferences manifest differently for women than men.For example, in healthcare, AI diagnostic tools often provide inaccurate assessments for women because they are not properly trained on female-specific symptoms. Natacha Sangwa, a participant in the African Girls Can Code Initiative, highlighted that AI largely developed by men reflects a one-sided view, ultimately impacting women’s access to fair and effective technology.
The Gender Digital Divide and Its Consequences
Globally, only about 20% of women in low-income countries have internet access, exacerbating a gender digital divide. This divide limits the quality and diversity of data feeding AI systems and the ability of women to benefit from technology. Women comprise just 29% of the global tech workforce and an even smaller 14% of tech leadership, underscoring a lack of female perspectives at the core of AI development. This exclusion has wide-reaching implications beyond tech jobs. According to the United Nations report ‘Gender Snapshot 2025,’ nearly 28% of jobs held by women worldwide risk displacement by AI automation by 2030, compared to 21% of men’s jobs. Without intervention, AI could encode and amplify gender inequalities, driving millions of women and girls into extreme poverty and halting progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Data-Driven Impact and Projections
- AI job disruption risks: 28% of women’s jobs worldwide may be affected by 2030, compared to 21% for men.
- Women in tech workforce: 29%, with only 14% in leadership roles.
- Closing the gender digital gap could benefit 343 million women, lift 30 million out of extreme poverty, and add $1.5 trillion to global growth by 2030.
- Current trends predict 351 million women and girls will remain in extreme poverty by 2030 without urgent gender-responsive measures.
Challenges in AI Development and Data Quality
As AI development accelerates, there is a looming data shortage anticipated by 2026, which may worsen existing biases if not addressed. Epoch researchers warn that without high-quality, representative data, AI systems will fail to serve diverse populations equitably.
The gender bias in AI reflects a lack of diversity among creators and the datasets they use. Predominantly male teams and male-centric data sources embed patriarchal structures into AI solutions, leading to biased decision-making in areas like employment, credit scoring, and healthcare.
Success Stories and Pathways Forward
Some countries have made significant strides in promoting women’s participation in technology and labor markets. Saudi Arabia, through legal reforms and reducing care-related barriers, doubled women’s labor force participation from 17% in 2017 to 35.4% by 2024. These reforms create more inclusive economic environments, essential for narrowing the gender digital divide.
Strategies to Address Gender Bias in AI
- Invest in Digital Skills: Empower women with digital and technical skills to increase their participation in technology sectors.
- Inclusive Data Collection: Develop diverse datasets that accurately represent women’s experiences to reduce AI bias.
- Gender-Responsive Policies: Implement labor and social protections tailored to women’s needs in a digital economy.
- Diversity in AI Development: Increase women’s representation in AI research, design, and leadership to embed equity in innovation.
- Multisector Collaboration: Engage governments, private sector, and civil society to harmonize efforts towards gender equality in AI.
Conclusion: Building an Equitable AI Future
AI holds transformative potential but risks perpetuating deep-rooted gender inequalities without intentional corrective action. Closing the gender digital divide and restructuring AI systems with gender equity in mind could lift millions out of poverty, promote fair labor markets, and safeguard the rights and well-being of women and girls worldwide. As 2025 marks a pivotal year in meeting global gender equality commitments, concerted efforts across sectors to recognize and dismantle AI-driven bias are indispensable to achieving sustainable development for all.
The pursuit of gender justice in the age of AI requires leadership, innovation, and persistence to ensure technology serves everyone equitably.
Source: UN Report
