The United Kingdom has put a spotlight on the critical need for gender equality in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, during a recent session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The UK’s statement underscored its commitment to safeguarding and promoting the rights of women and girls globally, asserting that tackling discrimination, particularly in the digital realm, is a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
A key concern raised was the disproportionate targeting of women and girls by AI-enabled harms. These include the proliferation of deepfakes and widespread online abuse, which are intensifying technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The UK highlighted that the current lack of 'safety-by-design' in AI systems has tangible real-world consequences, impacting individuals' safety, their ability to participate in society, and overall wellbeing.
In response to these challenges, the UK advocated for a human rights-based approach to AI development, with gender equality embedded at its core. This approach aims to ensure that AI technologies are designed and implemented in a way that respects and upholds fundamental human rights, rather than inadvertently perpetuating or exacerbating existing inequalities.
Furthermore, the UK detailed its involvement in international initiatives aimed at fostering responsible AI. It co-funds the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) programme, alongside Canada and Sweden. This major international development programme is designed to ensure that AI contributes to inclusive, safe, and equitable development outcomes, particularly in the Global South. Through its AI4D Africa initiative, the UK has actively supported women-led AI research and worked to strengthen the pipeline of female leaders within the AI sector.
The statement concluded with a direct question to Member States, urging them to collaborate with the UN to ensure that protection from discrimination is a fundamental consideration embedded from the very initial design stages of AI systems. This proactive stance aims to prevent future harms and ensure that technological advancements benefit all segments of society equitably.