Nothing was said in Italy from a gender perspective regarding the AI Summit recently held in Paris.
Thanks to Delphine O, French Ambassador and Secretary General of the Generation Equality Forum, we can instead make some positive assessments.
We are very clear on the issue of female underrepresentation in AI. The global numbers speak for themselves. They are women, as Delphine O points out:
- only 20% of workers in the AI sector;
- 12% of researchers and 14% of managers in the AI field;
- just 6% of AI software developers.
But at the Paris summit, the data points in a different direction, likely reflecting a focus on gender representation and the multidisciplinary nature of AI, which affects sectors where women are not a minority. In fact:
- 43% of panelists were women;
- 35% of overall participants.
Delphine O emphasized that the summit received the “Égalité Femmes-Hommes” (Women-Men Equality) Label from AFNOR Certification, recognizing its commitment to gender equality.
This focus should also be central to the objectives of the new coalition launched in Paris to move Artificial Intelligence onto a more sustainable and inclusive path, with an ESG approach.
“Over 100 partners, including 37 technology companies, eleven countries, and five international organizations, have joined forces under the Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI), aiming to accelerate global momentum to move AI onto a more environmentally sustainable path. Led by France, the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment Programme), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Coalition brings together stakeholders across the AI value chain for dialogue and ambitious collaborative initiatives.”
