RGU research project aims to boost gender equality in AI

Her-AI-Path: Innovating Women through AI-preneurship focuses on supporting women overcome significant barriers in accessing crucial business resources, such as technical knowledge and skills, diverting them from STEM fields.

Having received almost £25,000 in funding from The British Council, it is hoped the project will provide support for women from all backgrounds so they can go on to start successful businesses.

It is in partnership with Gordon Institute of Business and Science of the University of Pretoria, Mobile Applications Laboratory and Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Dr Poh Yen Ng from Aberdeen Business School at RGU, said: “Gender inequality in education and technology is a persisting challenge. We need to advance gender equality by inspiring young females and women to excel in AI and entrepreneurship, and encouraging equal gender representation in STEM fields.

“The inclusive and comprehensive staged workshops will establish a level playing field for women to engage in AI-driven innovations and entrepreneurship actively. Equipping women with the right skills and competence will undoubtedly bring transformative change. Through implementing the workshops, we hope to see changes in self-efficacy and entrepreneurial mindset among the young females and women.”

This gender equality partnership focuses on five key objectives:

• Providing young females and women with essential technical and business skills necessary to excel in AI-driven innovations and entrepreneurship.
• Inspiring women to pursue AI-preneurship and lead technology innovation and high-value businesses.
• Engaging in outreach to underprivileged communities, enabling women from all backgrounds to establish successful businesses and contribute to substantial economic growth.
• Fostering research capacity and knowledge exchange to support women in AI and entrepreneurship.
• Raising public awareness about gender equality and the challenges faced by minority genders in underprivileged environments.

This partnership aims to dismantle systemic barriers and create pathways that enable women to thrive within artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship. The initiative also seeks to drive meaningful change and foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

The partnership will be running 10 workshops in five townships in South Africa, with a launch event being held on Monday 14 April at the Gordon Institute of Business and Science, South Africa. This event can be accessed via livestream, and anyone interested can register using the link below.