Women4Ethical AI Conference: Advancing Gender Equality in Artificial Intelligence

The Women4Ethical AI (W4EAI) Conference, held at UNESCO Headquarters on October 30, 2024, marked a pivotal moment in the global movement to advance gender equality within the development and governance of artificial intelligence (AI). The event convened leaders, policymakers, researchers, and advocates to explore the intersection of AI and gender, focusing on how to make AI systems more inclusive, ethical, and representative. Central to the discussions was the presentation of the W4EAI Gender Outlook Study, which highlighted persistent gaps in global AI policy frameworks that largely overlook gender dimensions. The study emphasized that most countries either fail to incorporate gender considerations into their AI policies or do so only superficially. Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, underscored the importance of structural political commitment and dedicated funding to enact meaningful change. A letter of intent was also signed with The Adecco Group to promote gender equality in AI’s application in labor markets, reinforcing the commitment to equitable technological development. The conference made it clear that advancing gender equality in AI is not merely a technical challenge but a deeply political and social imperative. It laid the groundwork for future collaborative efforts through the W4EAI platform, aiming to ensure that AI development not only respects human rights but also actively empowers women and fosters inclusive digital ecosystems globally.