The need for gender-equitable leadership positions in AI development has been highlighted as an ethical concern. However, business leaders in the UK who recognized this need have observed a significant gap between what is acknowledged as necessary and what has actually been implemented.
Insights from a report by IBM
The report from IBM on gender equity in AI development, which consulted decision-makers in organizations, suggests that leading and responsible AI development is a matter of gender equity. However, the research also reveals a lack of action in holding the oppressor accountable.
According to IBM, 69% of UK business leaders acknowledge the importance of women’s involvement in AI decision-making processes. Additionally, 73% of them believe that increasing the number of women in top management roles could help address potential sexism issues in the AI sector.
A study indicates that having a more gender-balanced senior executive team, including women, can have economic impacts. Approximately 74% of respondents stated that having more female leaders is crucial for creating conditions in which society can benefit economically from AI utilization.
The UK falls behind in female representation
Despite recognizing the importance of women’s leadership, UK businesses still lag behind EMEA corporations (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) in terms of female representation in leadership roles. Although the percentage has slightly increased, it remains the lowest among the surveyed markets, with only 37% of UK respondents considering women-advocating leadership positions as one of their management priorities.
The IBM report also reveals that 20% of UK respondents show a lack of engagement with diversity and inclusiveness issues, hindering women from reaching upper management positions.
Addressing the strategic aspect of this issue, Dr. Nicola Hodson, Head of IBM UK & Ireland, emphasized the significance of female representation in AI development. However, she cautioned that it is not enough to simply include women in top-level positions; they must be appointed based on merit and not just for the sake of gender equality, as it is a strategic imperative.
The Role of Female Leaders in Ethical AI Development
Research shows that women approach AI implementation from an ethical perspective. In the context of AI, the key leadership skill for women in business is providing useful strategic guidance. Eleanor Watson, a well-known public speaker in areas such as business, politics, spirituality, and leadership, highlighted the influence women have in shaping the ethics of AI. She emphasized that women’s inclination towards intimacy makes the AI ethical framework more reliable and secure.
Watson suggested that biased AI systems can be corrected by considering how the system is employed within the larger AI framework. She emphasized the need to tailor AI tools to specific use cases to reduce stereotyping errors, rather than adopting a universal approach.
As AI technology becomes more advanced, female leaders in this field become increasingly important. UK business leaders recognize that women are valuable assets in the widespread deployment of AI in decision-making. However, there is still a disconnect between willingness and action, making it necessary to strive for gender equality in AI leadership for responsible and inclusive AI development.
