The AI opportunity for Women: Looking beyond bias and job loss

Artificial intelligence is already transforming the way we work, but how do we ensure it creates opportunities rather than reinforces existing inequalities?

That was the focus of our recent CivicaNet webinar, The AI Opportunity for Women: Looking Beyond Bias and Job Loss, where experts from across AI governance, policy, research and industry came together to explore both the challenges and opportunities ahead.

A key theme throughout the discussion was that AI is not inherently unbiased. AI systems learn from historical data, and if that data reflects existing inequalities, those biases can be replicated or even amplified through technology. The conversation explored why organisations must take responsibility for understanding, measuring and managing bias rather than assuming technology will automatically produce fair outcomes.

The panel also discussed the role organisations play in ensuring AI is implemented responsibly. Rather than asking "Where can we use AI?", businesses were encouraged to start by identifying the problem they are trying to solve, understanding potential risks, and putting the right governance and oversight in place from the outset.

Another important topic was the impact of AI on jobs. While some roles and tasks are undoubtedly changing, the discussion highlighted the opportunity for AI to augment work rather than simply replace it. By automating repetitive tasks, AI can free people to focus on higher-value, more strategic and more human-centred activities.

The webinar also explored the role of government, policymakers and wider society in shaping the future of AI. From regulation and procurement to education and workforce development, creating equitable outcomes will require action from multiple stakeholders.

Perhaps the strongest message of the session was that women should not see AI as something happening to them. Instead, they should see it as something they can actively shape. Whether through governance, leadership, implementation, policy, testing or adoption, there are countless opportunities for women to influence how AI develops and how it is used in workplaces and society.

Thank you to our fantastic speakers and everyone who joined the conversation.

Watch the Recording

If you were unable to join us live, you can still catch the full discussion.

Click here to download the webinar recording - simply fill out the form and you will receive a link to the full webinar.

We'd like to thank Narmada, Caroline, Kate, Mackenzie and Stela for sharing their expertise and experiences, and everyone who joined us for what was an insightful and thought-provoking conversation.