Updated 3rd September 2024
29th August 2024

AI: Why it Matters for Women
Applications to join our AI Advisory panel are now closed.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming our world, becoming a pivotal force that will shape the future of our society. As this technology advances, it holds both significant opportunities and potential risks, especially for women. At Fawcett, we recognize that any profound societal change, like the AI revolution, must be approached with a clear understanding of its implications for gender equality.

Why is AI a Feminist Issue?

The rise of AI is set to revolutionize the labor force and redefine the way we work, with profound consequences for women's jobs and economic opportunities. However, this transformation is not without its challenges:

• Bias in AI: If AI systems are trained on datasets that are biased—excluding women or perpetuating harmful stereotypes—these biases can have real-world consequences, reinforcing inequalities instead of breaking them down.
• Under-representation in AI Development: Women are under-represented in the tech industry, particularly in roles related to AI development. This disparity risks amplifying existing gender biases and widening the gender pay gap.

But AI isn't just a potential threat—it also presents a groundbreaking opportunity for women to lead and influence this technological wave. By ensuring that women are equal partners in the creation and deployment of AI, we can harness its power to foster a fairer, more inclusive society. At Fawcett, our vision for AI is clear:

• AI should be created with and by women as equal partners.
• Women should benefit from the economic opportunities AI offers.
• Policymakers and the public must be aware of AI's role in shaping attitudes and resist its potential to perpetuate misogyny and racism.
• We should leverage AI to create a more equal economy, reversing deep-rooted inequalities.
• All women should be empowered to use AI as informed consumers.

Introducing Fawcett's AI Project

To make this vision a reality, we are launching an 8-month project dedicated to exploring the key risks and opportunities that AI presents for women. Throughout this project, we will bring together insights from experts and deliver our findings in a clear, accessible format: the Feminist Guide to AI. This guide will serve as a critical resource for women, ensuring that the AI narrative includes and benefits us all. And this is just the beginning—our project will pave the way for more in-depth research and campaigning efforts in the future.

Advisory Group

Please note, the below is for information only. Due to an unprecedented response to our call to join the group, we have had to close applications.

As part of this initiative, we are forming a diverse advisory group to help steer our project. We are looking for 8 women to join us—no prior knowledge or expertise in AI is required. This is your chance to have your voice heard, contribute to a project that will make AI more accessible, and gain insight from leading AI experts.

Why Get Involved?

• Compensation: You will be paid for your time.
• Impact: Shape a project that makes AI understandable and relevant to women.
• Learning: Engage with AI experts and learn why this technology matters for women.

When and Where?

• First Meeting: A half-day session in London, October 2024. Travel expenses will be covered.
• Ongoing Commitment: Approximately 14 hours of online meetings over 8 months, culminating in a final in-person launch event in May 2025.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a vital conversation at the intersection of technology and gender equality.

Together, let's ensure that AI works for all women, driving us toward a more just and equitable future.

Applications are now closed.