亚开行-弥合数字鸿沟：利用人工智能促进亚太地区的性别平等（英）

ADB BRIEFSBridging the Digital Divide: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Gender Equality in Asia and the PacificKEY POINTS• Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping economies and societies, with global revenues projected at $407 billion by 2027. For Asia and the Pacific, this underscores the urgency of inclusive strategies to ensure women’s participation in the AI ecosystem.• Women hold only 30% of professional roles and 12% of research positions globally, while also facing unequal digital access. Biased AI systems often restrict women’s opportunities and reinforce stereotypes. Structural barriers and “gender-blind” national AI strategies further limit women’s digital participation and leadership.• Case studies show that inclusive AI design, deployment, and governance could reduce inequalities; expand women’s economic opportunities; improve access to services; and enhance safety in digital spaces.• Priorities to harness AI for women’s empowerment include integrating gender equality in AI policies and oversight; codesigning initiatives with gender-inclusive tools; expanding funding for women-led AI solutions; and strengthening women’s digital literacy, STEM participation, and leadership pipelines.CONTEXTArtificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming economies and societies across Asia and the Pacific, with global AI market revenues projected to reach $407 billion by 2027.1 Yet, most of these investments remain concentrated in the United States—the largest and fastest-growing AI market—followed by the People’s Republic of China and the United Kingdom.2 This concentration underscores how the benefits of AI are unevenly distributed. Similar imbalances are visible within the AI workforce itself, where women remain significantly underrepresented. However, without deliberate efforts to ensure inclusion, this digital transformation risks reinforcing and widening existing gender inequalities.Women remain significantly underrepresented across the AI ecosystem—from system design to leadership. This lack of diversity affects not only fairness, but also the quality, safety, and inclusiveness of AI systems.To ensure that AI serves as a tool for empowerment and not exclusion, it is critical to understand how gender disparities manifest throughout the AI life cycle. The next section explores the AI–gender nexus by identifying key challenges and risks across the design, deployment, use, and governance of AI.Notes: In this publication, “$” refers to United States dollars. ADB recognizes “Korea” and “South Korea” as the Republic of Korea. This brief is informed by a report by Jasmine Di Vy Trang, former intern, Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department.1 MarketsandMarkets. Artificial Intelligence.2 D. Liberto. 2025. Which countries are investing most in AI? Investopedia. NO. 357OCTOBER 2025ISBN 978-92-9277-473-8 (print)ISBN 978-92-9277-474-5 (PDF) ISSN 2071-7202 (print)ISSN 2218-2675 (PDF)Publication Stoc