This thematic area examines the measures countries have in place in order to promote and protect gender equality in the design, development and use of AI tools and systems.
Gender equality means providing equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities to all gender identities, going beyond the traditional binary notion of equality between men and women, and boys and girls.
Country and regional scores
Bright spots
Relevance
Current research highlights that AI systems are embedded with gender biases. A report by UNESCO found that AI tools and systems reinforce and amplify discrimination against women and girls alongside non-binary persons and sexual minorities. Gender inequality and bias may arise from a lack of representativity in datasets and embedded biases in algorithmic systems, which often link to a lack of diversity and gender equality in the teams designing and producing AI systems. The same report also found that the design of AI systems may reinforce harmful gender norms and stereotypes, such as endorsing the subjugation of women in positions of servitude e.g. Siri and Alexa. Increased automation in sectors and workplaces is also a cause for concern. AI can negatively impact the economic empowerment of women and other gender minorities, by limiting their ability to find and keep jobs. A notable gender gap exists in the AI workforce itself with this imbalance similarly reflected in both job acquisition and retention for women in STEM roles.
Country rankings by Gender equality
*In the table above, data was collected for Chinese Taipei (commonly referred to as Taiwan) and the West Bank, which is under the administration of the Palestinian Authority. No data collection took place in Gaza. We recognize that these are, at the time of writing, disputed jurisdictions.
