Mia Shah-Dand’s Race To Bridge The AI Gender Gap For A Human-Centred World

I first met Mia Shah-Dand, Founder of Women in AI Ethics (WAIE), in 2018. I was delving deeper into data privacy and on Twitter (at the time) she was addressing the failings of big tech as this AI hype cycle became more pronounced. The race to move fast and break things was emblematic of AI and the rampant issues that emerged as companies continued to experiment with this bright new shiny object that was to be the world’s panacea for convenience, productivity, and economic growth.

Disclosure: I have been involved in the Women in AI Ethics since 2020 and currently sit on the Board of Advisors.

In 2020 I profiled Mia Shah-Shah-Dand in this article, Mia Shah-Dand’s Fight For Inclusion To Save Humanity From the Dark Side of AI. At that time she observed,

“For a long time, the AI Ethics narrative has been shaped by voices from male-dominated tech companies and elite institutions. Tech giants use their deep pockets to influence tech-friendly policies and research while prestigious institutions use their massive endowments, some raised from questionable sources, to control the narrative around AI Ethics while making only token gestures towards inclusion of BIPOC.

WAIE 2020 is part of my ongoing effort to create a more egalitarian space where every woman’s perspective on AI Ethics is welcome regardless of their background, affiliation, class, or privilege. We have built a community where women from marginalized communities are empowered to share their work and personal struggles in a supportive environment.”

I re-connected with Shah-Dand four years after I first wrote her story, celebrating Women in AI Ethics’ fifth anniversary. The hype for AI has evolved into this new and addictive version of generative artificial intelligence that has seen obscene investments, despite the unresolved issues we’ve witnessed with the emerging technology, and the realization that industry overlooks its impact on people’s lives. For Shah-Dand, she has observed an increasing lack of humanity and compassion in society.

“At the heart of Women in AI Ethics is our belief that all voices matter. This belief is not limited to the voices of billionaires or the cisgender white men who dominate Silicon Valley. It is this fundamental belief that drives the work of Women in AI Ethics. I published the first 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics, a counter-narrative to a media and societal narrative that often glorifies the idea of the default white male genius.”

Shah-Dand points out that women, who view these technologies through a different lens, are often overlooked. These women consider the impact of technologies on communities that are not represented in the tech industry, and she notes that the technologies being developed are often biased and harmful towards these underrepresented communities, including women. She observes that many women working in the AI ethics space are addressing issues that are not considered by the predominantly male developers or tech teams, and declares,

“Women in AI Ethics was founded on the principles of addressing the exclusion and erasure of women. Women are not only systematically excluded from technology conversations and development teams, but even when they do contribute, their contributions are often erased or attributed to men.”

This is the heart of the ethics argument and why there is a need for ethics when technology is developed and deployed in ways that disproportionately harm women. While lack of representation is evident, continued underrepresentation in critical roles within tech results in harmful outcomes.

Shah-Dand emphasizes:

“We see the headlines, but we have to address the core issue, which is a system of the exclusion of women and those from marginalized communities from the technical industry.”

VC Funding Continues to be the Biggest Gap that Amplifies Inequity

The biggest issue, as per Shah-Dand, is the lack of women in leadership roles at tech startups and at large tech companies.  Only 2% of total venture capital (VC) funding goes to women-led startups1. This fact has been highlighted across media, but the needle has not moved. In fact, progress has been slow for women across the tech industry:

• At 32%, the share of women working in tech is now lower than it was in 1984, when it was 35%.
• The percentage of women in tech leadership roles has fallen to 28% in 2023.
• 50% of women in tech roles leave them by the age of 35.
• 32% of women in technical and engineering roles are often the only woman in the room at work.
• In 2022, all-women startup teams received an all-time low of 1.9% or $4.5 billion out of $238.3 billion, in venture capital funding.

Shah-Dand claims,

“This lack of investment affects not only female founders but also their entire teams. The tech startup ecosystem relies on funding to thrive, and when women receive only a fraction of the available funds, it hampers their growth and innovation. Meanwhile, 98% of VC funding flows to male-led or male co-founded startups, giving them a substantial advantage. They sprint ahead while women-led ventures struggle to keep pace.”

This funding disparity exacerbates existing inequities and women-led startups will often operate with minimal financial support, hindering their ability to compete effectively. As per Shah-Dand,

“Imagine you’re running a race where your competitors have high-performance shoes, but you’re stuck with worn-out sneakers. It’s an uphill battle. This not only affects representation, but also downstream opportunities and overall progress.”

When it comes to STEM inclusion, progress also continues to be stagnant. There are industry efforts to bring awareness especially at the earlier stages in education. In 2017, Shah-Dand pointed to the positive uptick in these efforts, which has since waned.  She alludes the complacency embedded in the systems that make it difficult to progress:

“The challenge we face is that we are stuck with the same solutions developed by the same institutions and the same tech companies, which are failing us. Outdated approaches, such as pushing more women into STEM without ensuring their safety and security or addressing toxic workplaces, are still being pursued. These fundamental issues have not been addressed, but we continue to push more women into these spaces.”

It’s evident, female leadership roles in technology is falling. Women tend to leave their jobs by the age of 35 and more likely than not, those in technical roles are consistently dominated by their male counterparts. Achieving parity, Shah-Dand expresses, “seems elusive especially when we hit walls and witness decline even after great initial momentum.”

Participation in Decisions for Women Must include Women

For Shah-Dand, the challenge lies in decision-making, particularly as it exists today,

“Unfortunately, those making decisions about the right approach for women often lack firsthand experience of marginalization. Surprisingly, these decision-makers are predominantly men, not women. Consequently, their perspectives may not fully align with the realities faced by marginalized women.”

The central question persists: Why don’t women participate more actively? What barriers hinder their engagement? Shah-Dand recognizes the populist movements like “lean in” emphasize individual responsibility, urging women to step up and show greater presence, which again puts the onus back on women. She questions,

“How do we create an environment that allows women to thrive? Everybody’s trying to build their own support systems because the support systems are also lacking. We are conflating individual success with collective progress. We are not having those conversations because the women who have the relationships, the networks and the media attention are not encumbered by these issues. They are invited to the table and at the same time, fail to provide the necessary support to others. That is a fundamental issue and why progress is slow.”

Shah-Dand also points to the persistent pay equity gap across industries, a systemic reality, remarking,

“Achieving pay equity within our lifetimes is unlikely. This sobering reality challenges our assumptions about progress. It’s as if we’ve normalized the idea that women will always be in the minority, perpetuating the status quo. We are at a crossroads. The persistent minority status of women in various contexts reinforces this notion. The idea that we could attain any significant level of fairness appears to have been dismissed.”

The Intention for the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics

The 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics was developed in 2018. For Shah-Dand, it began with addressing the fundamental issue that persists in Silicon Valley–the lack of female representation,

“Having spent years working in Silicon Valley, hosting tech media groups, and blogging about technology, I’ve gained an insider’s perspective. Unfortunately, toxicity and gender-related challenges persist. Women’s voices remain unheard, despite their qualifications.

The excuses are familiar: ‘We don’t know any qualified women.’ And, when you examine panels, it’s often the same handful of men sharing their same old perspectives. Most discussions on AI involve a recurring cast of male experts. To address this, I compiled a list showcasing accomplished women in tech. The response was eye-opening. People realized that highly qualified, credible women were making significant contributions to this critical space.”

However, Shah-Dand acknowledges that the list alone did not bring about significant change where cultural biases remain. “The default image of an expert often aligns with a white male engineer. Meanwhile, women—equally educated and experienced—are held to different standards. It’s time to challenge these norms and recognize the wealth of talent that exists beyond the usual suspects.”

She stresses the importance of continuing to publish the list annually, which serve as a powerful platform to highlight the field’s diversity and celebrate women’s impactful contributions. By doing so, it visibly challenges the misconception that qualified women are scarce or that the industry lacks female representation.

Since the annual publication of this list, Shah-Dand has begun to see a shift in the industry. First, the list serves as validation for women, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes without proper recognition. Now this is acknowledgment that their contributions matter is a badge of honor, visible within many LinkedIn summary profiles. Shah-Dand remarks that for event organizers and hiring managers there has been a noticeable shift. More women are now invited to speak at panels and conferences. This directory is now a highly viewed resource to find qualified women.

As technology has progressed, AI Ethics has become mainstream. Shah-Dand reflects that just five years ago, when the AI hype was front and center, the topic of ethics was but a murmur–now it’s just as prominent due to the influence of leaders like Meg Mitchell, Joy Buolamwini, Meredith Whittaker, and Timnit Gebru, among others who have played pivotal roles in shaping the field.

According to the 2022 AI Index Report, research on fairness and transparency in AI has experienced a significant surge. Specifically, there has been a fivefold increase in related publications at ethics-related conferences since 2014

Shah-Dand adds,

“Institutions like Stanford, MIT and Cambridge now offer dedicated courses to the topic. Women’s voices are being heard. We’ve shattered the excuse of not knowing qualified women. It’s not just a list; it’s an entire directory. The impact is undeniable, and we’ve helped make this mainstream.”

Women are Ideal in Cultivating Inclusion and Human-Centred Technology

Ethics is a human issue, but Shah-Dand points out that those personally impacted by the issues are more likely to notice them. In a world where the tech industry is built around the needs of men, women are often left to adapt to the systems not designed for them. Shah-Dand recalls the example of women’s pants without pockets.

A century ago, women’s clothing lost its functional pockets, systematically stripped of storage capabilities. In 14th century Europe, women wore utility belts, and during the American Revolution, they had pockets sewn into their underwear. These pockets were spacious, accommodating items like pocket watches, knives, and even flasks. However, about 100 years ago, pockets vanished from women’s attire. The blame lies not with women but with those designing their clothes. Today, women often struggle to find a place for keys, phones, and other essentials.

She reflects on what this minor inconvenience implies:

“It’s a clear example of how women’s needs are often overlooked in design. The absence of pockets in women’s clothing is more than just an inconvenience; it raises questions about gender norms, societal expectations, and the need for a safe place to carry essentials without relying solely on handbags or purses.”

Innovation, Shah-Dand affirms, happens when people realize what is designed and built are not working for them. They are the real innovators. The rise of Femtech in the last decade is characteristic of the disruption transforming female health, designed to address acute female needs where conventional solutions have failed.

Shah-Dand is clear that there is a need to reframe the conversation which assumes men as the default innovators and women as the “fixer-uppers”. She believes that women innovate in ways that are not recognized or mainstreamed by the media or the tech industry, and that this needs to change.

Public Libraries and a Focus on A Future to Reskill Women

Shah-Dand has a passion for libraries. She notes that in the United States, 40% of households lack access to high-speed internet. This, coupled with broken support systems, has led to public libraries becoming a haven for many, including children of immigrants like her own. She thinks about her own experience–her child who frequented the public library due to limited after-school programs and lack of reliable childcare:

“It’s where I witnessed, firsthand, the vital role that public libraries play. They offer high-speed internet, free resources, and a treasure trove of books. To me, it’s a magical place—a portal to new opportunities. For children from less affluent backgrounds, these libraries provide access to a world of possibilities that they might otherwise miss out on.”

She points out the resources and information on Artificial Intelligence are missing from public spaces. Much of the knowledge about AI is locked behind paywalls, written in jargon, and making it incomprehensible and inaccessible to the average person and entire communities.

She states, “These exclusionary practices prevent many communities from participating in discussions about AI. When we consider community participation, credible and understandable information is lacking. Instead, we see well-funded programs from big tech companies, which don’t necessarily address community needs. Our goal is to bridge this gap—to be the conduit that connects people to AI knowledge in a way that’s accessible and centers on the needs of the community.”

Public libraries and community centers are key to bringing people together in this AI revolution to ensure no one is left behind. These are the places, Shah-Dand maintains, where we can reach communities and provide them with the resources and onramps they need.

Internet Access and the AI Divide

Women AI Ethics collaborates with the United Nations and in my discussions with Ursula Wynhoven, ITU Representative to the UN and Head of UN Affairs, when it comes to the role of technology, particularly advancing technology, there are profound implications for disadvantaged populations in the US and globally. Wynhoven presented this statistic:

• 2.6 billion people have never connected to the internet

As 5G networks advance, a digital divide is created and among many disadvantaged communities’ lack of access to high broadband impedes their participation in the global digital economy. Access includes lack of sufficient infrastructure, electricity, the high cost of devices and data. Wynhoven also noted this, in turn, makes these communities more vulnerable to cyber attacks; diminishes their access to critical information like early disaster warnings.

Shah-Dand emphasizes that affordable high-speed internet is crucial for gaining knowledge, accessing opportunities, and even functioning in modern society. The lack of internet access creates a significant digital divide, which is now evolving into an AI divide. She continues,

“Without internet access, people miss out on learning about new technologies like artificial intelligence. They’re excluded from opportunities generated by these technologies. Moreover, their ability to protect themselves from AI-generated harms (such as deep fakes and disinformation) is severely limited. As half of the global population prepares to vote in elections this year, internet access becomes critical for functioning as a society and maintaining a healthy democracy.”

Mia Shah-Dand’s efforts have been a continuous uphill battle to build a counter narrative and give voice and due credit to countless women that have continued to shape technology. And while the issues of waning female representation in technology, the stagnation in STEM, the gender pay gap, and disproportionate funding gap persists, her commitment to expose these persistent challenges and call for a fundamental shift in the industry mindset is unwavering.

The narrative comes full circle with her vision for “The 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics”, which has begun to materialize with increasing recognition for the women who have made significant contributions to this industry and has sparked a much-needed discourse on AI Ethics as a result.

What she envisions is a future that breaks free from the confines of the past to create a future where women thrive, not just survive. Shah-Dand is adamant:

“We don’t need to be one of the boys. We are women. We are non-binary people. We are women of color. We are people of color. We know how to build things. We shouldn’t need to be part of the white boys’ club to be successful. We will continue to build things and we will build our own ecosystem of technologies that work for all of humanity.”