The gender gap in the technological sector is still present in the tasks and positions related to AI, since according to the study of digital employability and talent 2024, only the 22% of women what They work In technology they do it In positions related to AI.
The report, made by the Vassa Foundation and the Autonomous University Foundation of Madrid, with the collaboration of Genaia, points out the remarkable gender gap that is emerging, in view of the data, in the development and adoption of AI. For the authors of the report, the AI, especially the generative, is changing work and business dynamics, but the shortage of women working with it limits its growth and equity potential.
In addition to this data, the report indicates that female participation in papers related to transformation, especially in the most technical or leadership, is limited. Currently, only 18% of women specialize in Stem disciplines, which reduces their presence in the most technological sectors.
Thus, companies, which have difficulty finding qualified talent, are finding more complications to cover positions related to AI. In spite of everything, the number of women enrolled in computer careers has risen 127.5% since 2015, and although they obtain better performance ratios than men, they are only 21% of the graduates. Apart from this, the technological sector has a remarkable gender gap, since only 29.8% of those occupied in the sector are women. In the rest of the sectors, the average is 46.3%.
This study also points out that barriers to integrate women into the AI area are not only educational, but are also structural. In the hiring processes there are gender biases, as well as in women’s promotions to leadership positions in the technology sector. This leads to not enough female referents, since women do not have incentives to opt for Stem disciplines.
The Vassa Foundation, in view of the results of the study, urges governments, educational institutions and companies to take urgent measures to close the gender gap in the technological sector, such as the creation of specific training programs for women in AI, or The implementation of inclusion policies.
Antonio Rueda, director of the Vassa Foundationstressed that «the Ia is one of the most disruptive technologies of our time, but without a greater inclusion of women, we cannot take advantage of its potential to transform society. The low percentage of women in these areas is not only a problem of representation, but also of diversity in the development of technological solutions. AI is destined to impact all aspects of our life, and it is essential that the vision and voice of women are integrated from the beginning in their development ».
Rueda also recalled that «the Diversity is a source of innovation. If we want AI to be truly inclusive and represents the whole society, we need more women to be part of their development and application. The future of digital transformation must be inclusive, and that will only be possible if we fully integrate female talent. “
