In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies hold great potential for transforming lives, economies, and even societies. However, one thing to note is that for these advancements to make progress, they must be built on an inclusive foundation. Technology that does not account for diverse perspectives risks reinforcing inequalities that currently exist rather than addressing them.

Inclusivity is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic advantage that leads to better innovation, stronger economies, and sustainable development. Therefore, industry leaders and all participants must commit to fostering gender parity and equitable representation in AI. Equitable representation in AI and tech should be evident in hiring practices, leadership development programs, and workplace policies that empower all individuals, especially women.

According to the 2020 United Nations World’s Women Trends and Statistics report, the percentage of working-age women in the global labour market remains below 50%. This statistic clearly indicates the need for organisations to take deliberate action to promote gender inclusivity in the workplace.

Kenya exhibits both progress and challenges in gender inclusivity within AI and technology. Here, women make up only 33% of academic staff and just 8% of registered engineers, highlighting the gender disparity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Additionally, access to advanced digital services is lower among women (35%) compared to men (65%). Hence, addressing the gender balance is imperative to ensure that AI and digital transformation are inclusive and equitable.

However, as a country, Kenya has taken significant steps to strengthen its AI ecosystem, including developing its first national AI and emerging technology strategy through a comprehensive multistakeholder consultation process. Legal frameworks like the Data Protection Act (2019), the National ICT Policy (2019), and the Digital Economy Blueprint (2019) provide a strong foundation for ethical and inclusive AI development.

Several challenges remain, particularly regarding the skill shortage in the AI and ICT sectors. While Kenya’s Digital Economy Blueprint and Digital Masterplan (2022-2032) prioritize digital skills development, 30% of employers still cite skill gaps as a major challenge.

It is now time for all stakeholders, including corporations, policymakers, and civil society, to take bold steps to make inclusivity a cornerstone of AI, technological development and skill development. By working together, we can create a digital future that truly leaves no one behind.

At Sama, we are part of the team driving inclusivity and skill development in Kenya, East Africa, and globally. Our commitment to ethical AI and impact sourcing ensures fair employment opportunities while delivering high-quality AI training data for the world’s leading technology companies.

We integrate gender balance in core parts of our business operations to ensure everyone has equal access to opportunities. Our staff reflects this commitment as half of the employees identify as female, with 40% of senior managers and 67% of our executive team being female out of the more than 5,000 staff hired. This stems from purposeful hiring, mentorship, leadership development and skill-building workshops tailored to empower women in tech spaces.

AI and technology are only as powerful as the data and the perspectives that shape them. If we fail to include diverse voices, we risk developing biased algorithms that exclude marginalised communities and reinforce systematic disparities. When we prioritise inclusivity, we ensure that AI solutions are more representative, ethical, and highly impactful. I must emphasize that inclusiveness is not a one-time initiative; it is an everyday process, part of an ongoing journey.