Report on the Gender Gap in Artificial Intelligence Adoption and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Widening Digital Divide Threatening Global Goals

Recent data reveals a significant gender gap in the adoption and utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. This disparity presents a critical challenge to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning equality, education, and economic growth. A Harvard University study highlights a 25 percent gap between men and women in AI usage, indicating a trend that could exacerbate existing inequalities if not addressed.

Barriers to Adoption and the Impact on SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

The reluctance of women to adopt AI tools is linked to several factors that directly undermine the objectives of SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The primary barriers identified include:

• Ethical and Reputational Concerns: Studies indicate women are more apprehensive about the potential costs of relying on computer-generated information, fearing greater penalties for being judged as lacking expertise.
• Lack of Training: A joint American-Danish study found that a primary barrier for women is the absence of proper training and educational resources for tools like ChatGPT.
• Skepticism of Benefits: A Cognizant survey revealed that women are less convinced of AI’s benefits. Only 40% believe it will help them develop new skills, compared to 51% of men, and just 33% see it creating new opportunities, versus 40% of men.

This gap prevents women’s full, equal, and effective participation in the evolving digital economy, directly contravening the core principles of SDG 5.

Economic Consequences and Setbacks for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

The failure to close the AI adoption gap poses a direct threat to SDG 8, which promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The economic risks for women are substantial:

1. Increased Job Displacement: Research shows women are three times more likely to have their jobs replaced by AI, as they are overrepresented in entry-level and administrative roles susceptible to automation.
2. Exacerbation of the Gender Pay Gap: In Canada, women’s median full-time wages are already 17 percent lower than men’s. The AI skills gap threatens to widen this disparity further.
3. Missed Opportunities for Advancement: A Lightcast analysis of over 1.3 billion job ads found that positions requiring AI skills offer a salary premium of 28 percent. By not acquiring these skills, women are excluded from higher-paying, resilient career paths, hindering progress toward decent work for all.

Biased Innovation and its Conflict with SDG 9 and SDG 10

The underrepresentation of women in the development and application of AI directly impacts SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). When AI systems are predominantly developed by men, they risk embedding and amplifying gender stereotypes and biases. This leads to non-inclusive innovation, with tangible negative consequences:

• Reinforcement of Stereotypes: AI systems learning predominantly from male users may develop biases in their responses and functionalities.
• Flawed Technologies: Historical examples of biased technology include facial recognition systems that perform poorly on non-white and female faces, and virtual reality devices that disproportionately cause nausea in women.

Such outcomes create technological infrastructure that is not equitable, reinforcing societal inequalities rather than reducing them, in direct opposition to the aims of SDG 9 and SDG 10.

Recommendations for Aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education)

Addressing the AI gender gap is fundamentally an educational challenge, aligning with the targets of SDG 4 (Quality Education). Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities is essential. To bridge this divide, the following actions are recommended:

• Develop Targeted Training Programs: Create and promote accessible AI training and digital literacy programs specifically designed to empower women and address their stated barriers to adoption.
• Promote Lifelong Learning: Encourage continuous upskilling and re-skilling initiatives within workplaces to ensure women can adapt to technological advancements throughout their careers.
• Foster Inclusive Experimentation: Create supportive environments where women feel empowered to experiment with AI tools for both professional and personal development, thereby building confidence and proficiency.

Closing the AI gender gap is imperative for preventing a reversal of progress on gender equality. It is a crucial step toward ensuring that technological advancement contributes positively to a sustainable and equitable future as envisioned by the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The core theme of the article is the “staggering gender chasm” in the adoption and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It discusses how this gap disadvantages women in the workplace and leads to biased technology, directly addressing the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article connects AI skills directly to employment and economic outcomes. It highlights that jobs requiring AI skills offer a significant “28-per-cent premium” in salary and that women, who are already facing a “17 per cent lower” median wage, are “three times more likely to have their job replaced by AI.” This relates to achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article emphasizes the need for upskilling and training to bridge the AI gender gap. It notes that a “dearth of proper training” is a barrier for women and that companies are focusing on “upskilling or re-skilling employees.” This aligns with the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities, particularly in technical skills.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • By focusing on the disparities between men and women in technology adoption, income, and job security, the article addresses the goal of reducing inequality. It warns that the AI gap could become “another labour challenge that women have to hurdle,” thereby exacerbating existing economic and social inequalities.
5. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The article discusses the development of AI as a “revolutionary” technology. It points out that the lack of female participation (“mainly men at the controls”) results in biased technological innovation, citing examples like facial recognition and virtual reality. This connects to the goal of fostering inclusive and sustainable innovation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women. The entire article is a call to action for women to adopt AI technology to avoid career setbacks and achieve economic empowerment.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The article highlights that AI tools are being “created and fine-tuned without input from women,” which underscores the need for their full participation in the technology sector.
2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value. The article directly references the gender pay gap in Canada and shows how AI skills can lead to higher salaries, which is crucial for closing this gap.
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article frames AI as a key technological upgrade and stresses that upskilling is necessary for employees to remain productive and competitive in the modern job market.
3. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The article explicitly calls for women to “enroll and feel empowered to participate in training programs” to gain AI skills that are shown to make graduates “almost twice as likely to receive an interview offer.”
4. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… sex… The article warns that the AI adoption gap could lead to the economic exclusion of women, thereby increasing inequality.
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome… The article discusses how the AI skills gap leads to unequal outcomes in hiring, pay, and job security between men and women.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 5 & 4:
   • Proportion of women vs. men using AI tools: The article explicitly states there is a “gap of 25 per cent” in AI usage between men and women, providing a clear baseline indicator.
   • Perception of AI benefits by gender: The Cognizant survey provides quantifiable data, such as “40 per cent [of women], compared with 51 per cent of men” believe AI will help them develop new skills. This can be used to track changes in perception and confidence.
   • Participation in AI training: The article implies this can be measured by tracking enrollment in training programs, as it identifies a “dearth of proper training” as a key issue for women.
2. Indicators for SDG 8 & 10:
   • Gender pay gap: The article provides a specific figure: “median full-time wages are 17 per cent lower than men in Canada.” This is a direct indicator (related to SDG Indicator 8.5.1) to monitor progress on equal pay.
   • Wage premium for AI skills: The article quantifies this as a “28-per-cent premium,” which can be tracked over time to measure the economic incentive for acquiring these skills.
   • Risk of job displacement by gender: The statement that women are “three times more likely to have their job replaced by AI” serves as an indicator of unequal economic vulnerability.
   • Hiring rates based on AI skills: The article mentions that graduates with AI skills are “almost twice as likely to receive an interview offer,” providing a metric for measuring inequality of opportunity in the job market.
3. Indicator for SDG 9:
   • Incidence of bias in technology: The article implies this can be measured by citing examples of biased technologies, such as facial recognition that “performed poorly when trying to recognize Black faces” and VR devices causing disproportionate nausea in women. Tracking the reduction of such biases would indicate more inclusive innovation.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theglobeandmail.com