Gender in Digital Coalition publishes principles for inclusive AI governance

The Gender in Digital Coalition (GiDC) has published ‘Feminist Guiding Principles and Commitments for Global AI Governance‘, outlining recommendations for ensuring that the development and governance of AI systems address existing inequalities and include the perspectives of historically marginalised groups.

The document argues that AI systems are not neutral technologies, as they are developed within social, economic and political contexts that can reflect existing inequalities. According to the coalition, AI systems can reproduce or amplify issues such as discrimination, exclusion, surveillance and unequal access to opportunities if these risks are not addressed through appropriate governance measures.

The principles highlight that women, girls, gender-diverse people and other marginalised communities can be disproportionately affected by harms linked to AI systems, while often being underrepresented in the organisations and decision-making processes shaping AI development.

The coalition calls for clear principles, indicators and accountability mechanisms to ensure that international AI governance commitments lead to practical outcomes. It argues that gender equality should be integrated into ongoing global discussions, including the implementation of the Global Digital Compact and the WSIS+20 process.

The Gender in Digital Coalition is a global network focused on incorporating gender equality and intersectional approaches into digital governance frameworks. Its members include civil society organisations, international organisations and advocacy groups working on digital rights and inclusion. The coalition was established in 2023 to support greater consideration of gender issues in international digital policy discussions.