AI isn't simply changing the world around us, it's creating choices about our future

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we work, learn and live. But as this technology advances at extraordinary speed, an important question emerges: Will women have equal opportunities to shape the future of AI and benefit from it?

Research from King's College London and Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center highlights growing concerns about gender equality in the AI era, from women's participation in technology to differences in how AI is used, understood and experienced.

Who benefits from the AI revolution?

AI offers exciting opportunities to improve productivity, open new career pathways and make knowledge more accessible. Yet these benefits will not necessarily be shared equally.

Women remain underrepresented in many technology-related roles, while differences in access to digital skills, training and workplace support may influence who can take advantage of emerging opportunities. As AI changes the nature of work, some jobs traditionally held by women could also face significant disruption.

Ensuring women can develop relevant skills, access new opportunities and participate in shaping technological change is essential to building a more inclusive future.

Building fairer, more inclusive technology

AI systems can reflect biases present in the information used to develop them. Without careful design, testing and oversight, these biases may reinforce existing inequalities in areas such as recruitment, workplace decisions and access to services.

Greater diversity among the people developing, evaluating and implementing AI can help bring a wider range of experiences and perspectives into the process. Equally important are transparent systems, responsible decision-making and meaningful opportunities for people to challenge unfair outcomes.

Technology should expand opportunities, not reproduce the barriers that women have worked so hard to overcome.

Everyone has a role to play

Creating a more equal AI future is not solely the responsibility of technology companies. Employers can invest in inclusive training and ensure women have opportunities to develop their skills. Educators can encourage girls and women to explore digital and technical careers. Individuals can build their confidence with emerging tools, question potential bias and help make conversations about technology more inclusive.

Organizations also have an opportunity to review how they use AI and consider whether their decisions, systems and practices support equal opportunity.

Help shape the future

AI is not simply changing the world around us; it is creating choices about the kind of future we want to build. Ensuring women have a meaningful voice in those choices will help make that future more inclusive, innovative and fair.

The future of AI should be shaped by everyone, for the benefit of everyone.

Learn, share knowledge, challenge bias and champion opportunities for women and girls to participate in technology. Every conversation, decision and collective effort can help turn technological progress into progress towards gender equality.