Women's representation in AI remains critically low worldwide

Artificial intelligence (AI) is viewed as a way to improve equality in areas like education and healthcare. However, it can also reinforce existing biases, especially against women. To truly benefit everyone, women need to be involved in creating and using AI technologies. AI relies on data for training models. If this data does not accurately represent all groups, it can lead to unfair outcomes. A recent study found that 44% of AI models show gender bias, which can result in women facing challenges, such as difficulties in getting loans due to biased credit scoring systems. To reduce these biases, AI developers must check for gender disparities at every step. Involving gender experts and community organizations can help create better AI models. For example, Karya is a nonprofit in India that helps low-income workers earn money through digital tasks. They focus on training data that supports AI development and have already paid over $800,000 to more than 35,000 workers, over half of whom are women. Despite increased smartphone use among women in India, many still face barriers like low digital literacy. A report from 2024 shows that women have less access to mobile internet, which limits their ability to use AI services. Creating user-friendly AI that accounts for women's needs can help make these technologies more effective. Currently, women make up only 22% of the global AI workforce, with even fewer in leadership roles. Closing this gender gap is crucial for developing fair AI technologies. Various initiatives, such as government programs aimed at encouraging girls and women to pursue careers in science and engineering, have been introduced but must be expanded. To fully leverage AI's potential for women's empowerment, it is vital to promote inclusive design and encourage female leadership in the field. By making AI technologies accessible and relevant to women from all backgrounds, India can ensure that AI serves everyone fairly.