Action Alert | A Busted Pipeline: Where Are the Women in AI?

‘Tis the season to spread holiday joy and cheer but the upcoming AI Summit New York held December 8-9 is giving us all the seasonal sadness with their overwhelmingly male speaker lineup. In their sixth consecutive year, we had high hopes that AI Summit would take the lead on what seems to be a pipeline issue. Including women speakers means including meaningful insights; especially as a Deloitte survey found that 71% of respondents said hearing from women in AI provides unique perspectives the industry needs. And yet the AI Summit New York speaker lineup features a mere 21% women and 8% women of color. Where are the women?

According to the World Economic Forum report “Assessing Gender Gaps in Artificial Intelligence”, only 22% of AI professionals globally are women, compared to 78% who are men! Which means YES, the AI Summit is on trend for the industry, BUT... we believe that conferences like AI Summit New York have the power to change the equation by leveraging their platform to address pipeline issues like the 72% gender gap in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) space. In fact, what work is being done with women and women of color already in AI to address the gender gap from their perspectives?  

As “the only event globally to focus exclusively on the impact of AI in business,” we expect better from AI Summit New York, and you should too. 

Take it to Twitter. Reach out to AI conferences and suggest more women experts be granted time at the mic. Encourage conference producers to partner with organizations that can help them build a speaker lineup that pushes past industry standards toward a more gender-balanced offering… and don’t forget women of color and nonbinary experts in the space!

Time to take action!

Next Tuesday is #GivingTuesday, a global generosity movement supporting organizations and communities changing the world. If you believe that women’s voices count, add GenderAvenger to your list of non-profits and causes you’re supporting next week. We’re a small team and every little bit counts in furthering the reach and impact of our advocacy work to ensure women are always part of the public dialogue. 

We’ve got BIG plans for 2022 and we’d love your support to ensure that women’s voices are counted!

P.S. Thank you to everyone who has been participating in #GATallyTuesday! Look out for a reminder on social media each Tuesday to share your tallies!

📣🚨 Looks like #AISummit New York is on trend for the industry (21% women) but not on target for a GA Stamp of Approval. Conferences like this and organizations like could use their platform to build pipelines that create a more inclusive industry. #GenderAvenger