Association for Progressive Communications report examines gaps in AI governance on technology-facilitated gender-based violence
A new study by the Association for Progressive Communications analyses how international and national AI frameworks address technology-facilitated gender-based violence, identifying fragmented governance and limited enforcement as key challenges.
A report published by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) assesses how global and national artificial intelligence frameworks engage with technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). Titled Bridging the gap: Addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence in global AI governance, the study reviews AI governance instruments alongside existing legal and policy frameworks on gender-based violence.
The research draws on a literature review, comparative analysis of 24 national and seven international AI frameworks, examination of TFGBV legal norms, and expert consultations. It identifies structural gender inequalities in AI development, including the gender digital divide, underrepresentation of women in technical roles, biased datasets, and extractive data practices.
The report documents how AI systems can enable or amplify harms such as automated harassment, non-consensual synthetic intimate imagery, gendered disinformation, surveillance-enabled abuse, and algorithmic amplification of harmful content. It also notes risks linked to AI use in conflict settings and public sector systems.
A central finding is governance fragmentation. Many AI frameworks refer broadly to fairness or non-discrimination but do not address TFGBV explicitly or provide operational safeguards. At the same time, existing gender-based violence norms often do not incorporate AI-specific harms. The report highlights limited enforceability, weak redress mechanisms, and a lack of intersectional analysis in many instruments.
Among its recommendations, APC calls for integrating gender-responsive impact assessments into AI governance, updating legal definitions of violence to capture AI-enabled harms, strengthening accountability and oversight mechanisms, and improving participation of marginalised groups in AI policymaking.
