Digitalization and Gender Equality – How the IT Industry Can Drive Change

Last week, Forum Jämställdhet, Sweden’s largest gender equality conference, brought together leading experts and innovators to discuss how digitalization is shaping equality. With rapid technological advancements, we face both challenges and opportunities—our responsibility is to ensure that digital transformation benefits everyone. Filippa Ahlcrona, Head of Q by Consid, attended the conference to explore the latest research, trends, and insights. In a blog post, she shares her key takeaways and reflections from the event.

A woman with dark hair smiling in front of a grey wall.

Filippa Ahlcrona

HR & Tech recruiter / Head of Q - Equality platform

filippa.ahlcrona@consid.se

AI and Gender Equality: How to Avoid Bias in Technology

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most talked-about technological advancements, both within the IT industry and across other sectors. Companies are continuously exploring how AI can streamline processes, but one critical factor is often overlooked: the role of data quality in maintaining equality.

Nicklas Hermansson, a futurist and AI expert, highlighted how emerging technologies like deepfakes and AI-generated partners could influence perceptions of gender and relationships. He specifically warned about the risks of algorithms that, if trained on historical data, might reinforce existing inequalities instead of reducing them.

This connects to a major issue we see in AI-driven recruitment, where outdated data can lead to biased decision-making. A well-known example involved a tech company that used AI for hiring, only to discover that the system systematically excluded women and minority candidates. The reason? The AI had been trained on historical data where men dominated the industry, unintentionally replicating past biases.

Flawed Data – Not Flawed AI

Another example comes from the healthcare sector, where AI-powered diagnostic tools were found to be less effective at detecting heart disease in women because the training data was primarily based on male patients’ medical histories. This highlights the importance of carefully analyzing and balancing data to prevent systemic errors.

To address this, AI models must be developed with a conscious focus on equality from the start. This means actively reviewing and adjusting datasets, evaluating algorithmic decisions, and ensuring that AI promotes inclusion rather than reinforcing outdated norms. The technology itself isn’t the problem, but without the right approach, it risks perpetuating inequality.

Inclusive Digital Platforms: The Key to Equality and Participation

Beyond ensuring fairness in data and AI-driven systems, there’s another critical aspect—equal access to digital tools.

Ahmed Abdirahman, CEO of the Järvaveckan Foundation, spoke at Forum Jämställdhet about the importance of inclusive digital platforms that empower underrepresented groups. He emphasized that digital tools can open new doors for women and minorities, enabling them to engage in public debate and advocacy.

By designing technology with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, we can create a digital landscape that works for everyone—not just a select few.

How the Business Sector Can Drive Change for Women in Tech

The business sector has a vital role to play in driving change. At Consid, we have long been committed to increasing gender equality in tech through our initiative, Q by Consid. We know that mentorship and role models are essential in attracting and retaining women in IT.

Through our mentorship program, Q Mentoria, we connect women in tech with experienced mentors, fostering strong networks and providing guidance for long-term careers in the industry.

For the past year, we have also collaborated with ReDI School, an organization dedicated to ensuring that marginalized groups in IT gain access to digital tools and support—from CV writing to tech education.

Everyone agrees that digital transformation is inevitable, but it’s our collective responsibility to ensure it happens in the right way. At Consid, we take the insights from Forum Jämställdhet 2025 and continue to drive meaningful change.

By actively promoting gender equality in AI development, building inclusive digital platforms, and supporting women in tech, we can create a future where IT is truly for everyone.

Equality, two people sitting back to back in the stairs.

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Q by Consid is Consid's community for gender equality - a platform through which we work for increased gender equality in the tech industry.