The podcast from EGADE Business School and the Tecnológico de Monterrey Business School is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a predominantly male field, which leads to gender biases and affects equity. In the new episode of Territorio Negocios, "AI Needs More Women," the challenges of promoting gender equality in developing and governing AI systems are discussed, as are the opportunities this technology offers.
To address this topic, Lourdes Ocampo, academic leader of the Women Leading Organizations executive program at EGADE Business School, and Daniela Camberos, Talent Director at DD360, spoke with Eduardo Aguiñaga, National Director of Full-Time Programs at EGADE Business School.
The conversation began with the recognition that, despite efforts to increase female participation in STEM careers (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), the percentage of women in AI remains low.
“We have not yet reached a point where we can stop discussing this issue. We still face the challenge of breaking the 30% barrier,” Ocampo emphasized.
Camberos highlighted that biases in AI have real impacts on women's lives.
“The AI Now Institute reported in 2023 that hiring algorithms can penalize female candidates because AI learns from historically biased data and perpetuates these trends,” she explained.
She recalled the case of Amazon, which in 2018 scrapped an AI recruitment system because it systematically discriminated against female candidates.
Beyond the risks, AI also presents opportunities to promote gender equity. Ocampo pointed out that, with ethical and deliberate development, AI can help highlight the role of women in history and science.
“We can use AI to review and promote profiles of women who have made significant contributions, breaking the historical invisibility they have faced,” she said.
Regarding regulations, Camberos mentioned that Mexico has signed UNESCO's recommendations on the ethical development of AI but still lacks a robust legal framework like the European Union's AI Act.
“Although we do not yet have specific legislation, there is progress. In May, there will be sessions in the Senate to hear from experts and define a regulatory path for the country,” she commented.
To close the episode, the experts shared recommendations to promote the inclusion of women in AI. Camberos stressed the importance of hiring more women to develop these systems: “Only 22% of those working in AI globally are women. We need more diverse perspectives to avoid biases.”
For her part, Ocampo emphasized the need to strengthen organizational training and early education: “Changes in the industry are not enough; we must also raise awareness at home, with our daughters and sons, to spark interest in science and technology.”
This and other episodes of Territorio Negocios are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.