AI’s Gender Divide: Innovation Meets Inequality

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, a troubling trend persists: gender inequality.

Original articles appeared on FORTUNE by Brooke Hartley Moy.

The AI industry, despite its innovative nature, still struggles with gender bias. As a female CEO in generative AI, Brooke Hartley Moy has been repeatedly mistaken for an executive assistant to her male co-founder. This experience highlights a broader issue: the tech industry’s difficulty in recognizing women as leaders in AI.

While women are equally underrepresented in AI as in other STEM fields, many are running AI/ML research labs, adopting generative AI in enterprises, and considering its ethical impacts. Notable figures like OpenAI’s Mira Murati and Stanford’s Fei-Fei Li are making significant contributions. Yet, women are often absent from lists celebrating AI leaders.

The AI boom, triggered by ChatGPT in 2022, has led to deference to traditional tech CEOs and leaders from academia and Big Tech – pathways historically challenging for women. The focus on research-oriented solutions has overshadowed practical AI applications in industries often led by women, such as education and HR.

The “ask for forgiveness, not permission” mindset in AI startups echoes the “tech bro” stereotypes that have long made tech hostile to women. To address these issues, we should:

• Welcome new voices in AI leadership
• Recognize the importance of user-focused AI applications
• Reject the “move fast and break things” approach

As we shape the future of AI, it’s crucial to create opportunities for diverse leaders and influencers. Let’s not miss this chance to build a more inclusive tech history.

Head over to FORTUNE to read the full article by Brooke Hartley Moy.