Female AI wipe-out fears spark call for skills shake-up

The current approach to technology skills is not fit for purpose, leaving women at increased risk of being left behind, with heightened fears that female workers are far more likely to have their work replaced by automation than men.

That is the damaging conclusion of a new report by social enterprise Code First Girls and Tech Talent Charter, which calls on tech leaders to urgently implement upskilling and reskilling programmes to ensure women are valued and empowered to succeed.

“Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: Inclusive Skills Development in the Age of AI” also highlights that 80% of women in tech say they are not getting the career development they want.

With an estimated 1 billion jobs set to be transformed by technology, 43% of work tasks are likely to become automated by 2027. However, women are at risk of being disproportionately affected by these changes – and are 40% more likely to have their work replaced by AI.

Therefore, those companies that do not introduce upskilling initiatives prevent women from having equal access to the jobs of the future resulting in locking more women out of the sector.

A separate survey conducted by Code First Girls, published in February, found 41% of women are worried that AI could replace their current roles, 30% stating their company doesn’t provide opportunities for further skills by investing in training and development to adapt to these changes.

Code First Girls co-founder and chief executive Anna Brailsford said: “AI development, while promising, isn’t immune to human bias. With 90% of software engineers being men, there’s a risk that AI adoption may perpetuate societal biases. Inclusive reskilling is capable of releasing the fullest spectrum of our human intelligence and creativity, unhindered by the biases of the status quo. This report is a pathway for tech employers to facilitate these programmes, with inclusivity at their core.”

Tech Talent Charter Co-CEO Karen Blake added: “In the ever-changing landscape of technology, it is crucial to create inclusive skills programmes for the future. This goes beyond just a strategic plan, it reflects our commitment to fairness and progress.

“By embracing diversity, we can unlock the full potential of emerging technologies and create a future where everyone, regardless of their background, can thrive and make meaningful contributions.

“We need to be intentional in our approach to upskilling and reskilling, and create an environment that supports lifelong learning, values different skill sets, and encourages individual differences. When we develop inclusive skills programmes, we are not just closing gaps, we are paving the way for progress and prosperity.”