Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often seen as a field dominated by men. But is this actually the case? And if so, does this gender imbalance present ethical risks for the AI tools we’re developing? How should society address this? Karen Boers, Managing Director of FARI - AI for the Common Good Institute (FARI), and Pieter Ballon, Vice-Rector of Research at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), share a common view: “The more diverse the range of profiles in AI, the more likely we are to build objective AI systems inspired by public values, creating a positive social impact. AI for the public good.” The VUB’s Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence programme, unique in Flanders, is a valuable asset in promoting this diversity.
Karen Boers, managing director at FARI
The AI world indeed has a male-dominated image. Recent research from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences* shows that most AI applications are developed primarily by highly educated white men.
Karen: “If you look at tool development, this holds not only for generative AI but for much of the IT world as well.”
Are there ethical concerns here, such as a lack of female perspectives or potential discrimination?
Karen: “Gender bias doesn’t necessarily come directly from the developers themselves but from the datasets that train AI systems. Even the language and literature models rely on play a part: if they’re biased, AI amplifies that. Take the US presidential elections. If you asked ChatGPT at the time who the next president would be, it often predicted Donald Trump simply because the American history only has male presidents. We need to remove this unconscious bias or statistical correlation.”
Pieter: “To avoid unconscious patterns, we must continuously benchmark AI systems and monitor deviations. It’s not just about datasets and implementation but also about outcomes and any deviations from expectations. Tackling bias isn’t just a job for women; male researchers at VUB, like Rob Heyman and Vincent Ginis, are also committed to this. The broader the range of profiles in AI, the greater the chance we’ll build objective, publicly-minded AI systems with a positive societal impact.”
Do Women Approach AI Differently from Men?
Karen: “Based on my experience with FARI training, I’d say men are more inclined to experiment, while women may be quicker to consider social risks. These are culturally ingrained patterns that we need to try to break.”
Pieter: “Perhaps women focus more on applications, while men have a tendency to dissect the technology? But that’s a generalisation, as there are plenty of girls and women who love getting under the bonnet and tinkering.”
Since the 2022–2023 academic year, VUB has offered the only Bachelor’s degree in AI in Flanders. How significant is this?
Pieter: “VUB has long offered AI-related courses in programmes like Maths and Data Science, Informatics, and Computer Science. What’s unique about this degree is its integrated focus on AI: we teach students to investigate various aspects of intelligence and use these insights to develop intelligent systems within an ethical and legally compliant regional framework. Subjects like psychology, linguistics, and mathematics also feature, providing a holistic understanding of AI.”
Pieter Ballon, Vicechancellor Research at VUB
Does the industry need these broadly trained AI graduates?
Karen: “Absolutely. The demand for skilled AI experts is already vast and only growing, especially as we’re just beginning to realise what AI technology can achieve. We need not only developers but also social scientists who can bridge the gap between technology and application. They are the translators and interpreters who create this connection.”
Pieter: “Exactly. To attract a broad range of scientists, it’s crucial they feel included in the curriculum. The multidisciplinary dimension of VUB’s Bachelor’s in AI is a strong asset.”
At VUB, three-quarters of students in the AI Bachelor’s programme are male, reflecting a wider trend in the Faculty of Science and Bioengineering, where two-thirds of students are men. Is this an issue?
Karen: “Certainly. If we want better gender balance in the workplace, we need to start creating it in education. It takes proactive efforts to encourage girls and young women to pursue technical fields. This begins by sharing inspiring stories about women in tech so they have visible role models from a young age.”
Pieter: “The Children’s University, Science Day, the Wiskunnend Wiske competition – these are just a few of the initiatives through which we aim to spark an early interest in STEM subjects among young people, including girls. We’re also working on a campaign highlighting women in STEM to inspire more female students to follow this path. We’re making efforts, but there’s still much to do.”
Does VUB have any female AI role models?
Pieter: “I’m proud to say that at VUB, both in the past and today, we have a strong presence of female leaders in AI and digital transformation. Think of top figures like Ingrid Daubechies, Pattie Maes, Ann Dooms, Ann Nowé, An Jacobs, Mireille Hildebrandt, and Karen (Boers). They hold crucial positions both in terms of content and organisational leadership. I dare say you’ll find this at few other universities in Flanders.”
Advice for Women Considering AI?
Karen: “Certainly. Recognise the immense potential of technology. With AI tools, you can make a significant social impact, whether it’s accelerating drug development or using pattern recognition to detect diseases. This is your chance to make a real difference in the world.”
The Importance of FARI as a Research Institute
On Monday, 18 November, the FARI Conference in Brussels will focus on the theme “AI: A Public Good?”. This event brings together experts to share knowledge on AI with governments, industry, and the public, encouraging participants to share experiences and foster connections. For those unfamiliar with FARI, what does the institute represent?
Karen: “FARI unites the expertise of over 400 researchers from both VUB and ULB across disciplines such as AI, data, robotics, social sciences, ethics, and law.”
Pieter: “This depth of expertise is partly thanks to the institutions’ long-standing tradition of AI research. The VUB AI Lab, founded in 1983, is one of Europe’s oldest AI research centres. While we may no longer hold that unique position today, it’s encouraging to see many research topics from back then, such as conversational AI, are still highly relevant.”
Karen: “People often don’t realise this expertise has been present in Brussels for over 40 years. Meanwhile, AI could be crucial for solving urban challenges like mobility and healthcare. We’re currently too reliant on American and Chinese companies.”
Pieter: “We need regional systems that reflect our European values and norms. Where better than Brussels, a hub of national and international businesses grappling with complex issues, to achieve this? AI for the public good.”
Karen: “It’s an ambition we can only realise with the help of local governments, businesses, and citizens. They can indicate what works and what doesn’t, as long as they understand what AI can and cannot do for them. FARI is committed to raising awareness through training, helping people understand, test, and use these technologies. The FARI conference on 18 November is one example.”
Pieter: “With FARI, we’ve created a kind of one-stop shop in the Brussels Region that goes beyond commercial interests. This blend of research, education, and community-building is what makes FARI unique.”
Interested in hearing more from Karen Boers and other experts on “AI: A Public Good?” Register for the FARI Conference at https://www.conference.fari.brussels.
*“Op de tweede plaats: een verkennende studie naar de rol van gender in de ontwikkeling van verantwoorde AI” (19 April 2024) - Research by Maaike Habers, Lecturer in AI and Society at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences: https://www.hogeschoolrotterdam.nl/globalassets/documenten/gender-en-ai-rapport_final.pdf
**FARI was founded in 2021
***This article was created with a little help from ChatGPT.