Women, technology and AI: Five key takeaways for today’s world

Women have made important inroads in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, yet they remain underrepresented as students, graduates, and professionals. Recent data shows a clear gap - although women make up more than a third of STEM university graduates in Europe and Central Asia, and 45,2 percent in the Western Balkans, far fewer end up pursuing careers in STEM fields.

To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, celebrated this year under the theme “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls, we spoke with Tamuna Kvintradze, Chief of Staff at Women in Tech Global, an international organization supporting women and girls in STEM across 55 countries. We explored the barriers that discourage women and girls from entering STEM, why their participation matters, and why their perspectives are too often missing from mainstream and social media.

As a first step to address this issue, under the regional programme “EU4 Gender Equality – Women’s Economic Empowerment and Ending Violence Against Women,” funded by the European Union, 800 women and girls across the Western Balkans will soon join a mentorship programme to strengthen their digital skills. This will include foundational digital literacy, AI and prompt engineering, digital creativity, cyber safety, and digital entrepreneurship. Ahead of this initiative, here are five reflections on what it takes for women and girls to thrive in a world increasingly shaped by technology and AI.

Build systems that help women to enter, stay, and advance in STEM

Encouraging more girls into STEM requires early and sustained action. Exposure to creative, real-world learning, inclusive environments, visible role models, mentorship, and financial support can make a lasting difference. Teachers and parents also play a key role, as early encouragement influences girls’ confidence and interests.

Supporting women already in higher education or the workforce is equally essential, particularly those entering STEM later through reskilling or career transitions. Many face barriers such as inflexible schedules, financial constraints, caregiving responsibilities, and unwelcoming workplace cultures.

To increase participation, we need systems that help women enter, stay, and progress in STEM. This includes flexible learning pathways, strong mentorship and sponsorship, financial and institutional support, and inclusive environments that address bias and isolation.

Invest in women’s skills, confidence, and inclusion to close the digital skills gap

The digital skills gap across Europe and Central Asia shows that access to technology alone is not enough. Simply having devices or internet access does not automatically translate into empowerment or opportunities for women. Governments, employers, and education systems must ensure that women are not only using technology but also shaping and leading it.

Immediate steps should focus on building skills, confidence, and inclusion. That means targeted digital skills training, particularly in advanced and emerging areas like AI, data analysis, and cybersecurity, with special attention to women from rural areas, informal employment, or career transitions.

Employers can support this by offering reskilling and upskilling programmes that prioritize women’s professional growth and leadership in tech. Meanwhile, public policies must be gender-responsive, integrating digital skills into education, labor, and social programmes, while providing incentives for women-led entrepreneurship in ICT and other digital-intensive sectors.

Women must be equally seen, heard, and recognized as leaders in science and technology

When women are missing from public conversations about technology and AI, it reinforces the perception that expertise in these fields is predominantly male. This shapes whose voices are trusted, whose ideas influence policy, and whom young people view as role models.

Responsibility for changing this does not rest with journalists alone. Employers, institutions, and industry leaders must also support women’s public engagement and recognize visibility as part of leadership.

There are promising signs of progress. Media-training initiatives for women experts, for instance, show that with practical tools, such as interview preparation and confidence-building, women are more likely to engage publicly.

Closing the visibility gap requires intentional media practices, stronger networks of women experts, and platforms that amplify diverse voices. Women are already shaping science, technology, and AI; the challenge is ensuring they are equally seen, heard, and recognized as leaders.

Ensure women are involved in designing, auditing, and governing AI systems

AI poses real risks to women’s employment in technology, but also real opportunities if we act intentionally. AI systems are built on data and decisions that reflect existing social, economic, and power imbalances. If these biases are not addressed, AI can reinforce inequalities rather than reduce them.

Women are especially vulnerable in roles involving repetitive or administrative tasks, where automation can reduce responsibility, stagnate wages, and increase job insecurity.

At the same time, AI can also be a tool for inclusion and empowerment. For women already in the workforce, automating routine tasks can free up time for higher-value, creative, or strategic work. The key is ensuring that women are involved in designing, auditing, and governing AI systems, and that we invest in reskilling and upskilling so women can fully participate in the AI-driven economy.

Create support networks for women and girls facing digital violence

The starting point is knowledge and digital literacy. Women and girls need to understand how online platforms work, how to recognize harassment, impersonation, non-consensual image circulation and deepfakes, and how to use privacy settings and reporting tools effectively.

But education alone is not enough. Governments must update laws to hold perpetrators of technology-facilitated violence accountable, while technology companies should embed safety and privacy into platforms through strong moderation, clear reporting and consistent enforcement.

Women and girls should never feel they face these challenges alone. Support networks – whether in schools, workplaces, community organisations, or women’s groups - are critical. These can offer emotional support, legal advice, psychological care, and practical guidance for reporting and mitigating abuse. A strong community can make the difference between someone feeling silenced and someone feeling empowered to take action.