Abstract Artificial Intelligence face.

Introducing artificial intelligence tools to Gloria Steinem highlighted the potential of AI to advance equality or hinder progress. The crucial factor is the level of women’s (and other marginalized groups’) involvement in shaping this transformative technology. However, a stark reality emerged: there’s an urgent need for greater female participation in AI development and usage.

The underrepresentation of women in AI—a mere fraction of AI professionals and researchers globally—is a serious issue. This isn’t solely a pipeline problem; women need to actively utilize AI in their daily lives and work. Women’s participation in AI training programs is also significantly low. Studies indicate women are less likely than men to use AI tools at work, creating a vicious cycle where hesitation leads to further marginalization in an AI-driven world.

Fortunately, accessing and using AI doesn’t require specialized expertise or resources. Many tools are free and readily available.

This presents a unique opportunity to accelerate progress significantly.

Imagine AI providing readily available mentorship, personalized skill development, and automation of time-consuming tasks. This technology could act as an equalizer, offering support and efficiency previously unavailable to many women.

AI has the potential to overcome systemic barriers, particularly in mentorship. Many women lack the established networks men often benefit from. This lack of guidance hinders equality, with women less likely than men to receive advice from senior leaders—a disparity even wider for women of color. AI tools like ChatGPT offer personalized mentorship and support, compensating for these historical shortcomings.

AI can also help address the confidence gap, combating self-doubt and societal biases that discourage women from taking risks. AI tools can provide feedback on communication style, assist with salary negotiations and presentations, and highlight achievements.

Research shows that when women overcome initial hesitation, they often outperform their male counterparts. The key is not technical skills, but confidence and a willingness to experiment. The obstacle isn’t ability, but access and training. Starting with simple AI tasks can demonstrate the benefits and encourage wider adoption.

However, inherent biases exist within AI tools, posing real dangers for women. We’ve seen AI tools perpetuate biases, from discriminatory job recruitment algorithms to hypersexualized image generation and the spread of deepfakes. AI chatbots have even demonstrated biased responses based on gender. These risks necessitate increased female involvement.

Women’s involvement in AI isn’t optional; it’s essential. Women are uniquely positioned to identify and rectify gender bias in AI systems, ensuring the technology respects women’s privacy and dignity. The solution is not to reject AI, but to integrate women’s perspectives.

AI’s accessibility is key. Start with simple, free tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or NotebookLM. Share your experiences and encourage others to do the same. Collective knowledge sharing can drive significant change.

The feminist movement has always championed progress. We face a crucial decision: will we let AI solidify existing power structures, or will we harness it to build a more equitable future? Can AI truly democratize opportunities for the underrepresented?

Steinem’s reflection on AI— “You’ve created a whole universe here that didn’t exist before”—captures the transformative potential.

“`