Alyson Hwang
Research and Strategy Manager, Policy Connect
A future led by diverse tech teams is essential. To unlock AI’s full potential, the UK must enable women in tech. Gender equity in tech is not just a moral imperative but economically and socially necessary.
Despite decades of progress, women remain woefully underrepresented in the UK’s technology workforce. Only 23% of people working in STEM roles are female, and a mere 5% hold leadership positions in the tech industry.1 The AI sector is even more skewed, with women making up just 22% of the workforce globally.2
Girls in tech lack role models and support
The imbalance is not for lack of talent or ambition; girls perform as well as, or better than, boys in school STEM subjects, but lack confidence and visible role models to pursue these careers. The result? The UK is competing in the global tech race with one hand tied behind its back.
AI trained on data that
underrepresents women can
produce discriminatory outcomes.
Why equity is vital in AI
AI is rapidly transforming every sector, from healthcare and finance to education and public services. Policy Connect’s forthcoming report, ‘Skills in the Age of AI’ (to be published in June 2025), reveals that without embedded equity, inclusion and diversity within the fabric of innovation, emerging technology will only reflect and amplify existing biases.
AI trained on data that underrepresents women can produce discriminatory outcomes, from flawed hiring algorithms to biased medical diagnostics.3 Gender-balanced teams are more likely to anticipate and correct these biases, ensuring AI works for everyone, not just a privileged few. 4
Trust gaps hinder AI adoption
The key barrier to adopting and experimenting with AI systems is clear: training opportunities and courses are abundant. They aim to reskill and upskill across the sector. Yet, key barriers such as technology trust gaps and systemic pressures like bias and underrepresentation within AI development have persisted despite the Government’s enthusiastic call to establish the UK as a leader in AI adoption and use.
‘Skills in the Age of AI’ is a call to action for a pathway to ensure wider participation and usage of tech across underrepresented and marginalised groups across the nation.
[1] PwC. 2017. Women in Tech: Time to close the gender gap.
[2] PwC. 2024. How AI is being adopted to accelerate gender equity in the workplace.
[3] UN Women. 2024. Artificial Intelligence and gender equality, UN Women – Headquarters.
[4] Orlowska, W. 2025. Towards gender equity in AI – Arisa.
