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On Human Rights Day, 10 December 2024, the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean hosted a dynamic and interactive workshop to conclude the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign. UNESCO, along with almost 60 experts, researchers, and advocates, gathered virtually to confront pressing issues at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and gender inequality in the Caribbean.  

The event, co-facilitated by a young advocate, Jhaka Wooding, a member of UNESCO’s Caribbean Sheroes Alumni Network, titled “Intersection of Gender & AI: A Step Towards Ending Gender-Based Violence in the Caribbean,” shed light on the pervasive biases in AI systems and their implications for women and girls in the region. It aimed to bridge knowledge gaps and drive action to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence using culturally relevant approaches while aligning with the Gender Policy Action Area of ). 

The workshop set the stage for engaging discussions, actionable recommendations, and a shared vision of an inclusive digital future in which technology serves as a tool for social inclusion.  

Participants were presented with preliminary insights from UNESCO’s recent survey on AI-based discrimination in the Caribbean, ‘Perception and Awareness of AI-Based Discrimination Among Women and Girls in the Caribbean.’’ The survey, targeting women from the region, revealed that 67% of Caribbean women had experienced or knew someone affected by technology-facilitated violence, including online harassment and cyberbullying. The survey also highlighted that 44% of respondents believed AI systems perpetuate biases, particularly against women and underrepresented cultural groups. 

These revelations sparked dialogue and discussions centering on the need for diverse, contextually appropriate data to mitigate biases and the critical role of education in strengthening AI literacy. 

Dr. Sean Miller, an Assistant Lecturer and expert in AI from the University of the West Indies, underscored the dangers of gender biases in generative AI, citing real-world examples like skewed job recruitment tools and discriminatory healthcare algorithms. 

The event also featured a panel discussion with Dr. Dhanaraj Thakur, a research director at the Center for Democracy and Technology, and Karlyn Percil, an emotional intelligence, cultural leadership, and social impact innovation expert. 

Dr. Thakur emphasized the role of policy in addressing online violence, while Karlyn Percil highlighted the impact of unrepresentative data in perpetuating stereotypes about Caribbean women. Both panelists stressed the importance of holding AI companies accountable for biased outputs and fostering regional collaboration to create equitable and inclusive AI systems. 

The workshop concluded with a shared vision: a region where AI-based technologies contribute to advancing gender equality rather than exacerbate disparities and where AI systems reflect the diversity and resilience of Caribbean communities. 

The workshop outlined concrete next steps to combat AI bias and promote inclusivity. Recommendations included: 

1. Expand the ongoing survey on AI bias and its impact on Caribbean women and girls. 
2. Encourage governments to fund local AI innovations and create incentives for greater gender diversity in STEM fields. 
3. Foster the inclusion of other academic branches, such as the social sciences and the creative arts, in AI-related research.  
4. Enhance multi-stakeholder participation in the life cycle of AI systems to ensure that diverse voices, including those of women, are better represented. 
5. Encourage Caribbean women to share their authentic experiences online, shaping AI systems in ways that reflect their realities.