World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2023 - Women in AI Forum

A recording of these remarks can be found on YouTube or Tencent Video

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We gather here to address a pressing issue that shapes not only the field of artificial intelligence (AI) but also our society as a whole: the role of women in AI. As technological advancements continue to revolutionize every aspect of our lives, it is crucial that we acknowledge and understand the challenges and opportunities faced by women in this rapidly evolving field.

From closing the gender gap to promoting diversity and inclusivity, the power of women in AI is not only instrumental in shaping the future of innovation but also in creating a more equitable and prosperous world for all.

I am therefore honoured to address the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference – Women in AI Forum.

As the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, I am pleased to state that in China, women are making remarkable strides in the field of AI, showcasing their prowess, talent, and contribution to this rapidly advancing domain. From academia to industry, we see female researchers and professionals breaking barriers, leading groundbreaking AI projects, and developing cutting-edge technologies.

Their expertise in areas like machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing is driving innovation and shaping the future of AI in China. Furthermore, organizations and initiatives are actively promoting and supporting women's participation in AI, fostering an environment of empowerment and collaboration. As women continue to excel in AI, their contributions will play a pivotal role in shaping the technological landscape of China and making a lasting impact on our global society.

Digital technologies and AI are advancing at a staggering rate and have tremendously transformed businesses, the way we interact with each other, and society as a whole.

If these technologies are used responsibly, AI and digital innovation provide a generational opportunity to accelerate our progress towards the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reducing economic gaps and inequalities, increasing educational opportunities, and providing solutions to combat the climate crisis.

However, current gender gaps in AI threaten to undermine this opportunity. According to the latest data available, only 12 per cent of AI researchers are women, and they represent only 6 per cent of software developers and are 13 times less likely to file an ICT patent than men. These facts lead to two critical questions. What does this gender gap mean for the AI tools being developed, and how can we increase women’s participation in the industry?

As the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has made clear, “We need more women developing artificial intelligence that serves everyone and works for gender equality.”

It is imperative to increase women’s representation in these industries. AI is run by algorithms that require immense amounts of data to produce an output. Therefore, if the algorithm or the input data itself contains biases, this will get replicated, reinforcing these biases in the decision-making that AI supports. One such example from a large multinational corporation showed that the automated resume screening system being used discriminated against women because it used language samples from a period of time when women were underrepresented. Only by increasing women’s participation in the development of these technologies will we be able to combat these biases.

Now, how can we increase the participation of women in the development of AI and digital technologies? We must work to increase women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and careers. This will require promoting and developing support structures in these industries, especially to reduce the high levels of harassment that exist. Globally, 50 per cent of women scientists report being subjected to sexual harassment. This is unacceptable.

Other solutions, such as AI-powered recruitment, can be designed to support women’s participation in the industry and help generate new opportunities for women’s career development, challenging existing gender norms.

We must also remain cognizant of the existing gaps and digital divides, with vulnerable groups and women using these technologies at lower rates. If these divides are not closed, we risk leaving behind whole groups of people, as digital connectivity and literacy are imperative to participate in the digital economy. We must focus on deepening digital learning and retraining to reduce these gaps, especially as job automation, fueled by AI, begins to replace some administrative and clerical roles that are mainly occupied by women.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are at a critical juncture in the development of AI and associated governance structures. We have even seen leaders of some of the largest AI companies call for the development of governance and legal frameworks, with many countries rapidly advancing in the development of their own national frameworks.

As AI and digital technology easily transcend national borders, the role of the United Nations in addressing this considerable governance gap is crucial. To ensure principles and consensus are made to address the displacing effect that AI has on women in the workforce, especially those who may be disproportionately represented in sectors that are undergoing automation, we must seize the moment and act now.

Realizing that digital technology, including AI, when improperly or maliciously used, can exacerbate inequality, the international community has highlighted the importance of inclusive digital innovation and shared AI development. The Declaration on the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the UN contained pledges to improve digital cooperation.

In response to this declaration, the UN Secretary-General proposed a Global Digital Compact to be agreed upon at the Summit of the Future in September 2024.  This compact includes a technology track involving all stakeholders: governments, the UN system, the private sector, including tech companies, civil society, grassroots organizations, academia, and individuals, including youth and women.

This Compact hopes to address the many questions we must answer if we wish to harness AI for the public good. How we empower women and girls and enhance women’s economic participation through AI. How we mainstream gender in AI policies. And how we can promote collaborative research for big data and AI for the priorities set by the SDGs, including gender equality.

The UN believes AI has the potential to accelerate the realization of the 2030 Agenda. I am honoured to be here today to witness this important moment of recognition for the wonderful talents of women in the AI and technology space. It is inspiring to see young people, entrepreneurs, companies and experts participating in this conference because our collective actions can shape the digital future we want and accelerate women’s economic participation.

I take this opportunity to encourage you all to respond to the call by the UN Secretary-General, and continue to participate, innovate and collaborate in the application of AI, by bringing the gender lens into your design, policy-making, and investment.

Together, we can leverage the energy of disruptive digital technology, and create a more equal and connected world for women and girls.

I wish the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference every success.