Laura Mattarella, 134 years old for equality, AI can accelerate change

At the current rate, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, it would take 134 years to achieve full gender equality. Artificial intelligence could help accelerate change, provided it is accompanied by effective policies and inclusion. This was stated by Laura Mattarella, president of the honor committee of the Women Economic Forum Italy, starting in Turin until Monday.

In the European Union - he recalled - women represent approximately 51% of the population, but only 19.5% of ICT specialists. In 2015 they were 16%. In ten years, therefore, growth was 3.5 points. Data that confirms the need to guarantee equal opportunities in training, digital professions and decision-making roles. "The talent of Italian women involved in artificial intelligence was found to be far superior to the European average and studies have shown that if codes written by male programmers are better understood by other men, those written by women are equally understood by both. A fact that confirms what we already know: removing systemic barriers is a necessity for the development path of the whole society.

Equality is truly a condition of progress", says Mattarella.

With artificial intelligence destined to transform every area of ​​collective life, from medicine to politics, it becomes fundamental to question who designs these technologies and the values ​​that guide their development. "We therefore need to ask ourselves whether artificial intelligence is a means or an end", observes Mattarella who underlines the need to keep technology at the service of people, fundamental rights and collective well-being.

Alongside the commitment of the European institutions, a cultural change is needed that encourages girls to choose STEM paths and encourages female participation in innovation.

The final message is an invitation to look to the future with confidence: "We can still rewrite the collective future in the age of artificial intelligence".