The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the job market, reshaping roles across various industries. While AI has streamlined many tasks and improved efficiency, it has also introduced uncertainties about the future of work.

Some sectors experiencing significant change - such as administration, healthcare, and business - have historically had strong female representation. This shift raises an important question: How can women proactively harness the power of AI, to not only adapt but also thrive in this evolving landscape?

AI is certainly here to stay, making adaptability across all sectors essential.

However, many are seeing gender disparity in the development and deployment of AI.

This is a growing concern and if these variances are not addressed, AI will further widen the gender gap in the job market.

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Addressing Bias in AI Development

The connection between AI being 'predominantly developed and deployed by men' and its impact on job sectors with high female representation stems from the fact that AI systems are often trained on historical data that reflects existing systemic biases.

Since gender bias exists, the trained AI models often magnify these imbalances. As a result, AI can inadvertently magnify bias in workplace decisions, promotions, and hiring processes, adding to the inequities women face. If these discriminations are not combated, the opportunities for women to grow in various industries and aspects of life will be constrained.

As the gender gap continues to widen in AI and technology, there will be significant financial decline for women, making them vulnerable.

With AI gradually taking over mundane and repetitive tasks, particularly in industries dominated by women there will be a significant shift in job displacements and financial loss for women, further intensifying the challenges they already face in these fields.

As women face a higher risk of losing their jobs, programs that help in career transition are essential to guide women on new career paths, help them develop new skills, and help them find new jobs.

To mitigate these impacts, it is essential to leverage AI to ensure that women are actively incorporated in its development, deployment, and use.

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Leveraging AI for Women’s Advancement

There are many ways through which AI can be used to uplift women:

Networking and Mentorship

Building industry relationships and participating in workshops will empower women with the confidence, knowledge, and support necessary to navigate and succeed in the ever-changing job market.

AI platforms are creating virtual spaces where women can connect with mentors, industry leaders, and peers, encouraging professional growth and aiding them to form strong support networks.

Visibility and Representation

Having visible female scientists and AI leaders in business and society play an important role in highlighting opportunities for women in AI and challenging the stereotype that women don’t belong in STEM.

It's essential that women have equal representation in discussions about AI—whether it’s at panel events, media, or on social platforms—ensuring diverse perspectives are shared.

Personalised skill development

Increasing number of organisations are utilising AI to develop learning programs that are catered to each individual.

This means deploying an AI-based skills collection to provide customised reskilling and upskilling opportunities for each employee, including learning that is fine-tuned to address any specific, quantified skills gaps identified by women or other underrepresented groups in the workforce.

Flexibility and Job Opportunities

AI-powered tools, such as virtual assistants and automation, support flexible work arrangements, making it easier for women to manage professional and personal responsibilities.

Leadership Roles in Tech

AI's accelerated growth has led to the birth of thrilling career opportunities in tech, increasing the demand for women leaders, from AI Project Managers to Data Scientists.

Entrepreneurship

By automating processes, improving customer experiences, and facilitating better decision-making, AI solutions help women entrepreneurs start and expand their businesses effectively.

Data-Driven Decision Making

AI empowers women leaders with awareness for informed decision-making, improving efficiency in both small businesses and large organisations.

One great example of how AI has been leveraged to empower women, and the workforce, is Supermums.

Supermums is a social enterprise empowering women by providing AI and Salesforce training to bridge the digital skills gap and promote inclusivity in technology.

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These prospects are crucial for women balancing family and work responsibilities, as well as those who are the sole providers for their families, providing them with more flexibility and control over their lives.

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The Role of Diverse Teams in the Development of AI

Diverse teams working on AI development are essential to ensure that technology serves everyone, including women. Noelle Russell, a multi-award-winning technologist, emphasized this point in a recent Panelle Talks podcast:

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“Incorporating diverse perspectives in AI teams leads to more innovative solutions and reduces the risk of biased outcomes.”

When different outlooks are introduced, the gap and biases reduce, and the data that AI learns from becomes more representative. As a result, AI's output becomes more inclusive, better reflecting the needs of all users.

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Employing AI for Gender Equality

AI has the power to be inclusive and revolutionise the job market for the better when used in the right way. This will help businesses access a broader and more diverse range of talent.

• Eliminating Hiring Bias

AI can study job descriptions and hiring practices to remove gendered language and promote fair recruitment.

• Advocating for Equal Pay

AI-driven data analysis can expose pay gaps and encourage organizations to implement transparent, equitable salary structures.

• Encouraging Professional Growth

AI can assess potential rather than just experience, helping women break into leadership roles and advance professionally.

Meeting image (https://shecancode.io/the-benefits-of-actively-encouraging-more-women-to-work-in-tech/ )

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The Path Forward

Many organisations are realising the significance that gender diversity offers in AI. Workforces that place more women in the team and at the helm of AI development not only advance gender equality in the industry, but also deliver increased benefits to their own customers and business.

By addressing biases, enhancing women’s digital skills, and reshaping work to prioritise well-being, organisations can fully harness AI’s potential and create a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

The journey to a digitally empowered future depends on making sure that AI works for everyone, regardless of gender.

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