AI algorithms reinforce discrimination against women: UN chief

ISTANBUL

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Monday that artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms reinforce discrimination against women, as the world marks 30 years since the landmark Beijing Declaration on women's rights.

"Artificial intelligence is reshaping our world. But this transformation is unfolding in an industry dominated by men, shaped by biased data, and driven by algorithms that frequently reinforce discrimination," Guterres said at a high-level meeting commemorating the Beijing Declaration.

He described technology as "spreading hate like a virus" amid what he called "a wave of misogyny rolling across the world."

Guterres stressed that technology must be used to promote equality rather than exclusion, and called for greater investment in women's education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Progress remains slow

Reflecting on the progress made since the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, Guterres acknowledged that while the Beijing Declaration has led to advancements in legal protections, political participation, and education for women, progress has been slow and uneven.

"No nation has achieved full equality for women and girls," he said, noting that Sustainable Development Goal Five on gender equality lags behind other targets.

Guterres warned that conflicts and climate disasters are multiplying, with women's rights becoming casualties of both.

UN leadership example

Guterres defended the UN’s achievement of gender parity at the senior leadership level, dismissing claims that the organization applied special treatment to achieve balance.

"The only thing we did was to guarantee that there were effective equality opportunities for women and men,” he said, adding that meant ensuring the selection process did not have a misogynist bias.

The Secretary-General called for the universal ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and urged countries to adopt proactive measures to include women in decision-making roles at every level.

Economic benefits highlighted

Annalena Baerbock, president of the UN General Assembly, emphasized the economic importance of gender equality, noting that closing the gender gap would increase global GDP by $7 trillion.

"Women's economic empowerment is not just about doing a favor for women, but a favor for every society, every economy," she said.

Baerbock said despite the "watershed achievement" of the Beijing Declaration, the "revolution remains unfinished."