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The recently published UNESCO report  illuminates how gender biases found in data sets, algorithms and devices used for AI training have the potential to perpetuate or foster exclusion, bias and discrimination against women. While AI permeates several areas of people's lives in the Caribbean and around the world, only 22% of all AI professionals are female, according to the 2018 Global Gender Gap Report, produced by the World Economic Forum. The underrepresentation of women in the industry contributes to the reproduction of harmful gender biases and stereotypes in AI technologies. Against this background, the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean hosted the UNESCO Talk: Spotlight on Gender Equality and Artificial Intelligence in the Caribbean on 1 December 2020.

Through an interactive format, four experts shared their views and insights on the importance of gender equality considerations in AI principles, and the relevance for the Caribbean sub-region. This dialogue also covered the inclusion and participation of women in the Caribbean technology sector, through areas such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as well as the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

Saadia Sanchez, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean, highlighted UNESCO's role in promoting human rights and human dignity in the design, development and use of AI systems. UNESCO, through its Social and Human Sciences Sector, has launched the process of elaborating a Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, the first global normative framework of its kind. As part of this inclusive process, in August of this year, UNESCO provided a platform for  and contribute to the revision process of the Recommendation.

Saadia Sanchez also highlighted that in the Caribbean sub-region, a coordinated Artificial Intelligence Strategy would be critical for preventing negative disruptions as well as to enhance resilience in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In this light, the Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Initiative, which is supported by the UNESCO Information for all Programme and implemented together with the Jamaica Broadcasting Commission, is a first step towards building such a sub-regional strategy. “Having decision-makers that are aware of how Artificial Intelligence works and that are mindful of its potential impact and implications is key in order to develop adequate policy responses to help mitigate the possible disruptive effects, for example on Caribbean labor markets", Saadia Sanchez explained. 

The knowledge products and have generated a global debate and are also examples of UNESCO's actions and commitment to promoting gender equality, by highlighting potential gender bias in the design, development, deployment and use of AI-based technologies and systems. Both reports highlight the need for AI-based technologies to adopt gender equality considerations and principles that foster diversity and inclusion.

Jennifer Breslin, Executive Director of Futuristas and contributor to the UNESCO report on Artificial Intelligence and Gender Equality, stressed why these discussions are important for countries that are not currently developing AI, such as the Caribbean sub-region. Artificial Intelligence is already used all over the world, including in the Caribbean, often unconsciously by many users.

Jennifer Breslin further explained that potential discrimination caused by AI can include access to work and credit, as well as AI's failure to take gender differences into account by not recognizing female faces or voices. "AI perpetuates stereotypes by associating certain words with certain activities. When addressing the issue of intersectionality, it can lead to discrimination in finding housing, it can affect the well-being of children, it can discriminate against the judiciary and the police, among others." She urged governments to apply globally developed ethical principles and to adopt the necessary legislation to regulate the development and use of AI and data collection.

Jennifer Britton of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat presented the initiative "Digital Skills & CARICOM Girls in ICT", a key action headed by CARICOM for the next three years. CARICOM supports Caribbean countries in transforming education systems to provide girls and young women with the support, capacities and skills to fully participate in the Caribbean technology sector, through areas such as ICT and STEAM. "We need to be able to have a broader discussion at regional level, strengthening the capacity of all genders to work in and with the development of AI, ICT and STEAM," she said.

The constructed social role of women in many Caribbean countries that in turn limits the ambitions and self-esteem of girls and young women is one of the biggest barriers to entering the world of business and technology, explained Ingrid Riley, digital nomad, media entrepreneur and founder of Rebel Grrl Media. She highlighted that this is partly due to the way technology has been taught and marketed to women, as well as to the recommendation and stigmatization of career choices and to a male-dominated entrepreneurial culture in many Caribbean countries.

"Women and girls think that they are not enough and that they do not belong in the world of business and technology. If we can't see that there can be a difference, then we don't believe it either." Ingrid Riley highlighted the lack of representation of successful women in the sector as a factor that can further discourage women from participating in this field. She emphasized the importance of changing the narrative and the impact of storytelling as a mechanism to include more women in the development of the Caribbean technology ecosystem.

While COVID-19 has brought a whole range of Caribbean industries to a standstill, particularly those related to tourism and travel, it has also disrupted notions of where and how we work. According to both Ingrid Riley and Jennifer Britton, COVID-19 also provides new opportunities and entrepreneurial possibilities for women in the field of technology. All speakers agreed that civil society has a key role to play in ensuring that AI-based technologies promote diversity, inclusion and gender equality. Jennifer Breslin emphasized that AI systems must also be included in the gender discourse, by raising awareness, building up AI knowledge and educating people about the potential disadvantages and advantages for society. Furthermore, emphasis was made on the importance of strengthening research and knowledge production, as well as the significance of international cooperation in this domain, reconfirming the key role of regional and international organizations, especially for Caribbean Small Island Developing States, who will benefit from a joint strategy on AI.

Finally, all speakers also converged to ensure these emerging technologies are equitable, accountable, and serve all of humanity, international and national policies as well as regulatory frameworks need to be developed and adopted.

Within the framework of the Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Initiative, UNESCO and the Jamaica Broadcasting Commission will organize a webinar on 10 December as a follow-up to this UNESCO Talk, focused on Artificial Intelligence in the Caribbean Context. The outcomes of these dialogues processes will serve to inform the elaboration of a Policy Brief to support the formulation of AI Policies in Caribbean SIDS.