News
Women4Ethical AI calls for concerted efforts for inclusive, trustworthy and ethical AI systems
The South Asian Chapter of Women for Ethical AI (W4EAI) was launched at the on 19 January 2025, Amritapuri, Kerala. The event, organized by Amrita University in collaboration with UNESCO and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), brought together experts from government, industry, academia, and civil society to discuss solutions for advancing gender equality in AI.
The W4EAI network, established by UNESCO, tracks the implementation of the gender chapter of the Recommendations on the Ethics of AI, a commitment made by 194 member states. The South Asian chapter focuses on creating inclusive and ethical AI systems, ensuring equal representation for women across the AI lifecycle—from design to deployment in the region.
At the launch, panelists discussed how both private and public sectors have not prioritized ethics and inclusivity in AI development. Through its South Asian Chapter, W4EAI aims to support both sectors in creating frameworks for ethical AI, addressing key areas like career guidance, regulatory incentives, and gender-sensitive AI policies in the region.
The launch of W4EAI’s South Asian Chapter marks a critical step toward gender equality in AI in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the world, but women remain largely underrepresented. According to the , women make up only 30% of the AI workforce, with even fewer in leadership roles. In research and development, women represent just 12% of AI-specific positions.
We cannot have just a technological revolution that not only reproduces biases but actually worsens them.
on Large Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT-2 and Meta’s Llama 2 found persistent gender biases. For instance, female names were often linked to domestic roles, while male names were associated with executive careers. These biases in AI can reinforce harmful stereotypes and inequality.
With AI shaping everything from economies to policies, it’s critical that women’s voices are heard in the design, development and deployment of AI technologies.
The network elevates the voices of South Asian women, ensuring that AI systems reflect the region’s diverse socio-economic and cultural contexts. By promoting inclusive and ethical AI, W4EAI helps ensure that technological advancements work for everyone, not just a select few.
Beyond representation, W4EAI also calls on governments to take the lead in implementing gender-sensitive AI policies. W4EAI encourages policymakers to establish supportive frameworks for gender equality in AI.
For Dr. Bhavani Rao, Dean at Amrita University and Chair of the W4EAISAC, promoting gender equality in AI is about humanity:
In the recent past, India alone has clocked the highest engagement with generative AI in Asia-Pacific. Considering this significant engagement and the influence AI will have on South Asia’s populace it is imperative that AI does not exacerbate existing inequalities and vulnerabilities.
The South Asian Chapter of W4EAI is committed to advancing gender equality in AI through research, mentorship, advocacy, and capacity-building. By addressing the gender gap and promoting ethical AI, W4EAI is helping to shape a more inclusive,equitable AI future.
We are building a network of amazing sisters who will support institutions to address gender dynamics in AI, ensuring that the development, design and deployment of AI technologies reflect the realities of South Asia.
UNESCO is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of a gendered approach to AI, as outlined in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. W4EAI’s work is paving the way for a future where AI systems are inclusive, ethical, and equitable creating a world where technology serves all people, regardless of gender.
For more information, contact:
Eunsong Kim: e.kim@unesco.org
