"The AI and digital revolution must also be a revolution for gender equality," says Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset ahead of International Women's Day. "Together, we can break down barriers to build a future where women and girls lead, innovate, and drive the digital world forward," he continues, calling for greater gender equality in the AI and digital world.
Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in critical digital sectors and decision-making roles. Currently, only 22% of AI professionals worldwide are women (World Economic Forum, 2022). In Europe, the latest data reveals a persistent gender gap in research and innovation: women hold just 20% of top academic positions in Science and Engineering (EU report 'She Figures', 2022). Women's equal involvement in digital developments is crucial to make sure technological advancements benefit society. With women making a full contribution to these fields, we can drive more inclusive, innovative, and impactful progress for everyone.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to advance gender equality by identifying and addressing disparities in treatment and by amplifying women's voices in decision-making. If developed and deployed responsibly, AI can play a transformative role in disrupting the cycle of gender-based violence. But if it is left unchecked, AI and related technologies are likely to be misused, perpetuating harm, reinforcing gender stereotypes, and entrenching the very biases we strive to eliminate.
To address these risks, the Council of Europe is developing a Recommendation on equality and AI, offering specific guidance on integrating equality and non-discrimination principles into AI systems. The aim is to ensure that AI fosters and enhances gender equality rather than exacerbates discrimination or infringes women's rights.
Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls remains a formidable challenge. The harmful effects of such violence extend far beyond personal safety, impeding women's and girls' participation in political and public life. In response, the Council of Europe is preparing a Recommendation on technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, focused on strengthening accountability, enhancing victim support, and protecting against AI-powered threats, such as deepfakes and algorithmic abuse.
Gender equality and promoting the rights of all women and girls lie at the heart of the Council of Europe's work and are central to the new Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence - the world's first legally binding international treaty in this field.
