Women in AI

A lack of gender diversity could lead to biases in AI systems

We talk about innovation all the time. We talk about what the catalysts for innovation are. Here’s one you may not always think of:

• “Diversity of perspective can be a catalyst for innovation. However, women within the field of AI and advanced technologies continue to remain unrepresented across this field.”
  — Heather Stockton, Global Offerings & Assets Leader, Vice Chair & Partner, Deloitte Canada

Innovation thrives when ideas are shared, challenged, and refined.

• “We know that Influential leaders transform the world around us. However, several voices are underrepresented amongst this powerful elite and across the AI research space, especially at the senior board level—women.”
  — Jas Jaaj, Managing Partner, National AI and Data Leader, Deloitte Canada

Women should be better represented in AI in research, academia, senior leadership positions, and AI application development for the real world.

There’s ample evidence that gender diversity matters:

In business in general, companies with diverse boards perform better, companies that prioritize gender diversity in executive leadership have higher net returns in their equity markets, and higher productivity is correlated with gender diversity.

Women should have leaders who they can see themselves in and can mentor and guide them to next levels–AI is no exception. And AI should have diverse creators–because if it doesn’t represent all humans it can turn into unfair, unintended advantages that could leave people out.

AI teams who are diverse can effectively define the problem to solve, design the solution, and construct and train the algorithms through a broader lens. A lack of gender diversity could lead to biases with AI systems. In short, women’s perspectives can bring insights and value that help enable AI teams to develop more valuable products–whether that’s analyzing climate change, diagnosing disease, or helping architects build better buildings.

• “Research has indicated that a diverse workforce generates higher returns and is more likely to make better decisions. To truly drive value, leading companies should consider that diverse and inclusive workplaces are not simply a compliance obligation, but instead create conditions for high performance teams who strengthen business strategy and results. For this reason, I’m excited for you to hear how we are turning up the dial to develop programs tailored to the needs of our talent.”
  — Heather Stockton, Global Offerings & Assets Leader, Vice Chair & Partner, Deloitte Canada

Who will be the next women leaders in AI?

Our Women in AI–Global AI Leadership Development Program

They might just be in our first cohort in the Deloitte Women in AI program, a one-of-a-kind leadership program that has been designed to offer a unique experience for our exceptional female talent across Deloitte Global. As a global collaboration across the Deloitte AI Institute^TM, this program promotes learning, building connections, and celebrating equality of women leaders in AI.

These future leaders hope to not only influence a culture within Deloitte and serve as a model for other companies, but also to extend that influence into the broader AI.

Through roundtable discussions, sharing leading practices, and collaboration, we are working towards a common goal to elevate the next generation of female leaders across the sector of AI. Our collaborations with industry leaders and preeminent postsecondary institutions across the AI ecosystem are intended to inspire people to embrace bold ideas and think differently. We’re connecting cohort participants with peers, mentors, researchers, and industry specialists.