Promoting gender diversity and ensuring women are represented in decision-making roles is a critical focus as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly prominent in the business world, according to research conducted by IBM.
The study, which surveyed business leaders from eight different countries for the UK female leadership in the age of AI report, revealed that 37% of UK participants are actively working to increase the number of women in leadership positions within their organizations. This push for gender diversity is driven by the necessity to establish a fair society as AI technology becomes more integrated into everyday life.
Nicola Hodson, the chief executive of IBM UK & Ireland, emphasized the importance of developing AI systems with a diverse team to avoid bias and ensure that the technology benefits all members of society. She stressed the need for governance to be at the core of these systems, aligning with the values and principles of the communities they serve.
UK business leaders believe that having more women in decision-making roles will lead to more equitable AI development and distribution of its benefits across the economy and society. Although 69% of UK business leaders recognize the importance of gender diversity in AI decision-making, only 37% currently prioritize promoting women to leadership positions.
To address the lack of diversity in the tech industry, leaders suggested implementing mentorship programs, improving access to digital education, and increasing the number of women in middle-management roles. Failure to prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives is seen as a barrier to progress, especially as more companies plan to incorporate AI technology in the coming year.
Overall, ensuring female representation in decision-making positions is crucial for developing unbiased AI systems that serve all sectors of society effectively.