How AI Can Improve Women's Lives

’ Artificial Intelligence might be able to help us navigate in a car, but can it have an impact on a bigger issue like gender inequality?

- SHYN YEE HO-STRANGAS

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way we live, work and interact with one another, from self-driving cars to voice/chat assistants to generative AI. Technology giants like Microsoft, IBM and Google have been investing in and developing AI-powered technologies that have the potential to revolutionise societies. The advancement of artificial intelligence over the recent years has led to conversations around its potential impact on some of the most pressing issues such as gender inequality in Southeast Asia, which remains a significant challenge.

The region’s gender gap

Gender inequality is a widespread and systemic issue that impacts women’s opportunities, rights, and access to resources. Lower income levels, limited access to education and healthcare, and reduced political representation are some of the consequences women are unfortunately enduring.

According to a report co-written by UN Women and the Cambodian government as chair of ASEAN in 2022, the percentage of women in managerial positions increased by just 2 points from 39% in 2000 to 41% in 2020. In the middle and senior management roles, women accounted for only 26% in the region.

Despite the region’s economic growth and progress in many areas, women’s representation in various sectors paints a sombre picture of gender equality. As an advocate of gender equality and technology, I believe that AI can play a vital role in transforming women’s lives by promoting more equitable gender representation.