Women in AI: Why Your Voice Matters in Shaping Ethical Technology
- nicisweaney
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Why Diverse Voices Matter in AI Development
The AI revolution is here, but who’s shaping it?
Despite AI’s rapid expansion, women remain underrepresented in its development, raising urgent questions about diversity, ethics, and inclusivity.
AI reflects the biases of its creators.
If diverse voices aren’t included, AI won’t work for everyone.
So, how can women take up space in the AI conversation and ensure ethical, inclusive technology?
Women constitute only 22% of AI professionals worldwide.
The Digital Divide Is Widening
The gender gap in AI usage is particularly concerning. Research shows that women globally are 8% less likely than men to use AI tools, with this gap widening significantly in developing countries.
Even in tech-driven regions, men are more likely to use AI in professional settings, meaning AI is being shaped by a limited perspective. This matters because AI learns from its users—and when its user base lacks diversity, AI reinforces biases rather than challenging them.
Only 18% of authors at leading AI conferences are women, and more than 80% of AI professors are men. (UNESCO)
The Ethical Dilemma: Boycott or Trojan Horse?
This raises a key question: Do we withdraw from problematic platforms, or engage with them to help shape their development?
There are compelling arguments for both approaches:
The boycott approach
Refusing to support AI platforms that lack ethical leadership sends a message through attention and spending power.
The Trojan horse approach
Engaging strategically with AI tools while actively shaping them from within. Correcting AI-generated content, challenging biased responses, and using AI for diverse objectives all contribute to AI evolution.
Neither approach is universally right or wrong.
What matters is making a conscious choice rather than passively consuming technology.
Women Carry an Unfair Ethical Burden
There’s another side to this conversation—women are often expected to bear a disproportionate ethical responsibility in professional and personal spaces.
We’re expected to "do the right thing" while justifying our ambitions.
We feel additional pressure to make perfect ethical choices in technology adoption.
But the reality: You don’t have to carry the weight of AI ethics alone.
If AI helps you scale your impact, launch a business, or reclaim time in a busy schedule that’s a valid reason to use it.
Understanding How AI Works Is Essential
One of the most critical steps in engaging ethically with AI is understanding how it works.
AI systems like ChatGPT don’t "think"—they identify patterns in data and predict likely responses. This means they often:
Reinforce stereotypes
Present the most "common" answer
Lack diverse perspectives unless intentionally challenged
When you understand this, you can engage more intentionally by asking AI to consider different viewpoints, challenge assumptions, and prioritise ethical frameworks.
Practical Ways to Be Part of the Solution
If you care about shaping AI ethically, here are actionable steps:
1. Use AI with intention
Don’t just treat AI as a search engine—train it like an assistant. Provide context, values, and direction in your prompts.
2. Challenge default responses
When AI generates a generic or biased answer, ask for alternative perspectives—especially from non-Western and diverse gender viewpoints.
3. Prioritise privacy and security
If you wouldn’t post it publicly, don’t input it into an AI system. Protecting sensitive data is crucial.
4. Model respectful behaviour
How we interact with AI shapes how it evolves. Encouraging nuanced, respectful communication influences AI models over time.
5. Learn from reliable sources
AI education is critical but not everyone teaching AI understands it deeply. Seek insights from experts who prioritise ethical, responsible AI adoption.
Taking Up Space in the AI Conversation
We have a rare window to actively influence AI’s development. Women's perspectives are not optional, they are essential to ensuring AI is built for all of humanity, not just a privileged few.
Taking up space in this conversation isn’t just about personal benefit—it’s about ensuring AI includes the full spectrum of human experience.
As Time Magazine emphasises:
“We have a rare and fleeting window of opportunity to influence how AI develops. Women's perspectives, concerns, and creativity are essential to ensuring these powerful tools evolve to serve humanity broadly.” (Time Magazine)
Whether you engage selectively, dive deep into AI adoption, or choose another approach, what matters is making a conscious choice. Your voice, your perspective, and your engagement matter more than you might realise.
What’s Next? Lead the AI Shift With Confidence
AI is redefining how businesses operate, how decisions are made, and how industries evolve.
At Ai Her Way, we work with mission-driven leaders who want to adopt AI responsibly, ethically, and efficiently.
We only take on five businesses at a time in our AI Capability Building & Strategy Development Program to ensure hands-on support.
April & May spots are now open—secure yours before they’re gone.
Book a discovery call today to see how we can help you future-proof your business, empower your team, and lead AI adoption with confidence.
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