The gender gap in artificial intelligence and its impact on business innovation

Digitization figures have increased in recent years, especially due to the pandemic. Along the same path, the level of investment in artificial intelligence (AI) has increased in almost every organization in the world, especially starting in 2018. According to WorldinData, investments in 2021 were approximately 30 times higher than just eight years before. A trend that can also be observed in the amount of research and academic publications on this topic.

Despite the growing demand for artificial intelligence specialists, women remain an untapped resource. According to a study conducted by the World Bank in 2021, women represent less than 25% of people working as artificial intelligence specialists. Also, those with PhDs in artificial intelligence and computer science remain at 20%.

Raising concerns about gender bias in datasets and encoded in AI algorithm products. As well as “the failure to address the unequal distribution of power and leadership in the AI ​​sector,” Gabriela Patiño, UNESCO’s Deputy Director-General for Social Sciences and Humanities, told the World Bank. Not only does this go against the industry’s key principles of diversity and inclusion, it is also inefficient.

In 2020, McKinsey illustrated that companies with more gender-diverse executive teams are 25% more likely to have above-average profitability.

On the other hand, greater gender representation is an attractive attribute for employees. In 2021, Glassdoor found that 67% of job seekers consider diversity when evaluating a job offer. A diverse team also creates different perspectives, which leads to better products. This according to Hewlett, SN, M. Marshall and L. Sherbin. (2013). in “How Diversity Can Drive Innovation”.

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