WEF and LinkedIn report warns AI could widen gender inequality
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The World Economic Forum (WEF) and LinkedIn warn that the growth of artificial intelligence could widen gender inequality in the labor market. According to WEF’s Saadia Zahidi, the roles most affected tend to be skilled office jobs that attracted many women in recent decades. Women are also less represented at every level of AI companies; LinkedIn executive Sue Duke said they hold only one in five AI engineering roles.
Duke called for governments and companies to invest from the outset in training and including women in AI-related roles, as well as supporting their careers. The WEF’s annual report indicates that gender inequality has declined globally over the past 20 years, but that reduction slowed from 2016 onward compared with the 2006–2016 period.
Why it matters · editorial interpretation
Women’s concentration in skilled roles potentially affected by AI, combined with their lower representation in AI engineering, could make the technology transition distribute opportunities unevenly. The warning reinforces that training, inclusion and career support need to be considered from the outset, according to WEF and LinkedIn.
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