The Future of STEM and AI: Why We Need More Women at the Table

Artificial Intelligence is not just reshaping our industries—it's rewriting the rules of society. From healthcare and education to finance and justice, AI is already making decisions that impact billions of lives. But as this powerful technology becomes more deeply embedded in our everyday experiences, one urgent question remains:

Who is building the future of AI?

Right now, the answer lacks balance—and that’s a problem.

The Gender Gap in AI

Despite the explosive growth of AI, women are still vastly underrepresented in the field:

• Only 22% of AI professionals globally are women (World Economic Forum, 2023).

• In machine learning and data science roles, the gender gap widens even further, with women making up just 12% of researchers.

• According to UNESCO, women are more likely to be employed in lower-paying, lower-skilled tech roles, and significantly less likely to lead AI projects.

  
  

This disparity isn’t just about representation—it’s about results. AI systems are only as unbiased, inclusive, and ethical as the teams that design them.

Why Women Belong in AI

When women are left out of AI development, the outcomes reflect that absence. From facial recognition software that struggles to detect darker-skinned women, to hiring algorithms that replicate gender bias, the risks are real. Without diverse voices in AI, we risk automating inequality.

Women bring essential perspectives that can help:

• Ensure inclusive datasets and algorithms that work for everyone—not just a select few.

• Raise ethical questions around privacy, bias, and fairness.

• Bridge the gap between human experience and machine logic, especially in fields like education, healthcare, and community safety.

The Intersection of STEM, AI, and Empowerment

AI is a STEM issue—and the future of STEM is deeply intertwined with AI. But it’s also a human rights issue, an economic issue, and a social justice issue. That’s why we need to make sure girls and women are prepared, supported, and encouraged to pursue AI and related fields.

Investing in girls in STEM today means we’re investing in a future where women lead AI innovations—as engineers, ethicists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and change-makers.

What We Can Do

• Start early: Expose girls to AI concepts through games, coding, and hands-on learning in middle and high school.

• Mentor and sponsor women at every stage—from first-year college students to senior engineers.

• Build inclusive learning environments in STEM classrooms, bootcamps, and online courses.

• Fund programs and scholarships that specifically support women in AI.

• Create visibility: Highlight women AI leaders like Fei-Fei Li, Timnit Gebru, Joy Buolamwini, and Latanya Sweeney.

Designing a Future That Works for Everyone

Artificial Intelligence is not just about lines of code—it’s about values. It’s about who we trust to teach machines how to make decisions. It’s about equity, empathy, and ethics.

If the future of AI is going to serve all of humanity, then all of humanity must have a hand in building it.

We need more women in AI—not just as participants, but as pioneers. Not just as users, but as architects of change.

Because the future of STEM isn't just about technology—it's about who gets to shape the world we’re all going to live in.