UNESCO Women for Ethical AI: Outlook Study on Artificial Intelligence and Gender

The gender chapter of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is a concrete commitment by 194 Member States to advance gender equality in the AI ecosystem. To track progress in the implementation of the gender provisions of UNESCO’s Recommendation, and to assess the impacts of AI on gender equality, the UNESCO Women for Ethical AI (W4EAI) Platform has been established. This report advances the workstream through evidence-based insights in three critical areas: women’s participation in AI development and deployment, the inclusion of gender equality concerns in AI governance and the impact of AI on gender equality. It highlights the significant underrepresentation of women in AI, the lack of gender-disaggregated data, and the compounded challenges women face in the field. The report also addresses the neglect of gender dimensions in AI policy, the risks posed by AI systems to women, and the need for responsible and ethical AI governance to promote gender equality. Finally, it outlines actionable recommendations to enhance gender equality through and in AI, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive data collection, targeted interventions, and inclusive policy-making.