In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), the policies we craft today will shape the future for generations to come. Yet, the voices shaping these policies remain overwhelmingly male. The underrepresentation of women in AI policymaking is not just a matter of fairness and diversity. Without regulation that accounts for the diverse societal impacts of AI, we are unable to harness its full potential. If AI is to truly serve everyone, it must be shaped by unique perspectives – including those of women.
The urgency of this issue is clear. Women remain underrepresented in political decision-making roles, with particularly low numbers in ministerial positions related to technology. In countries like Japan and Malaysia, for instance, there are currently no women holding ministerial positions in tech policymaking. Even in Australia, which has the highest percentage of women in such roles (50%), systemic challenges persist in ensuring women have equal opportunities to lead and shape AI policy.
Why Women’s Voices in AI Policymaking Matter
The consequences of male-dominated AI policymaking are far-reaching. AI systems, particularly those deployed in critical areas like healthcare, hiring, and law enforcement, have been shown to replicate and even amplify existing biases. Without diverse perspectives in policy formulation, there is a risk that regulations will fail to address these biases, leading to discriminatory outcomes. Moreover, issues such as online safety, deepfake abuse, and algorithmic discrimination disproportionately affect women. Yet, without female policymakers bringing their experiences and concerns to the forefront, these issues might not receive the attention they urgently require.
Indeed, there is a strong economic and innovation argument for increasing women’s participation in AI policy. Studies have shown that diverse teams make better decisions and produce stronger outcomes. A policymaking environment that incorporates a wider range of perspectives is more likely to anticipate unintended consequences, ensuring AI serves all members of society.
Recommendations for Increasing Women’s Participation
So how can we boost women’s participation and leadership in AI and tech policymaking? The solutions include structural, developmental, and cultural interventions that can be adopted by governments, private sector leaders, and civil society.
1. Structural Interventions: Breaking the Institutional Barriers
- Diversify decision making: AI policy making should go beyond engineers briefing the politicians. There is a need to get other experts, such as psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, and economists, in the room to provide policymakers with a more comprehensive understanding of the societal implications of AI. This also creates opportunities for more women to be involved in the decision-making process, bringing valuable perspectives to AI governance.
- Establish women’s policy councils: Dedicated councils composed of female leaders in government, academia, and industry can provide critical input on AI policy and ensure that gender considerations are embedded in decision-making processes.
- Advocate for supportive legislation: Laws mandating equal pay, parental leave, flexible work arrangements and other workplace protections for women in tech can help create an environment where women can build long-term careers and contribute to the shaping of policy environments.
2. Developmental Strategies: Building the Pipeline for Future Leaders
- Leadership development and mentorship programmes: Training programmes specifically designed for women in tech policy can provide the skills and networks needed to advance in the field. Mentorship initiatives pairing emerging female leaders with seasoned policymakers can accelerate their career growth and strengthen their influence in AI governance.
- Scholarships for policy studies: Financial support for women pursuing degrees in public policy, AI ethics, and technology governance can help build a talent pipeline for future female policymakers and leaders in tech policy.
- Implement mandatory gender audits: Gender audits, such as the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) participatory approach to gender audits, and gender sensitivity trainings, provide evidence about the current state of gender equity in a workplace and help develop action plans to address specific issues.
- Allocate funding for gender research: Allocating resources for research on gender disparities, like the ADB Gender and Development Co-operation Fund and Melinda Gates’ Gender Equality in Tech Cities, in both the tech industry and government can provide data-driven insights to inform policies that promote gender equity in AI governance.
3. Cultural Shifts: Changing the Narrative Around Women in Tech Policymaking
- Promote female role models: Publicly recognising and celebrating women who have made significant contributions to AI policy can inspire the next generation. Lists like Singapore’s ‘100 Women in Tech’ help highlight trailblazers in the field.
- Foster male allyship: Engaging male leaders in AI policymaking as allies can help break down barriers and create more inclusive workplaces. Initiatives like the UN Global Compact’s male allyship programme offer a model for fostering gender-inclusive leadership.
- Host women-in-tech policy conferences: Dedicated forums where women in tech and policymaking can network, share experiences, and collaborate on policy solutions can be instrumental in increasing visibility and influence. Such events can provide networking opportunities, highlight best practices, and help build a stronger, more diverse AI policy community.
A Call to Action
Getting more women involved in AI policymaking is not a symbolic gesture; it is a necessity for creating fair, ethical, and effective AI governance. Governments must take proactive steps to eliminate barriers to women’s participation in policy making, while industry leaders and civil society must work together to provide opportunities and mentorship. Women are not solely responsible for pushing for their inclusion, institutions play a very important role in recognising and correcting systemic inequalities.
At Access Partnership, we have been commenting on this topic, whether through our podcast series or as part of our annual tech policy trends. Our ambition is to develop a ‘Women x AI Policy Academy’ to help train women from government, industry, and civil society to amplify their voices in shaping the technology that is shaping our societies. We are seeking like-minded partners who can support this initiative.
With AI becoming an integral part of society, ensuring that the voices shaping their future are diverse is not just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do. By implementing the recommendations, we can move towards a future where AI policymaking is truly representative, equitable, and responsive to the needs of all.
