Why Aotearoa’s AI Future Needs Women

The Times’ recent list of the 100 most influential people in AI included only 27 women. Of the 24 leaders they named, just two were women. Several of the most influential men in AI also appear on the Forbes 400 list, highlighting the obvious, that men overwhelmingly hold the power shaping both AI and the global economy.

When one group dominates the design of a transformative technology, their values and experiences inevitably become embedded in the systems we all depend on. Even with the best intentions, no group can design for experiences they’ve never lived. That’s how biases are reinforced, communities are overlooked, and technology ends up serving only a few.

For many women and minorities, navigating systems not built for us is familiar, and AI will be no different unless a diverse range of voices shape its development and direction.

Navigating the Future of AI as a Young Woman

My awareness of these gaps began long before I entered the workforce.

As a young girl, I loved maths and STEM subjects, but my enthusiasm faded as I repeatedly felt unwelcome or dismissed for showing interest. I still remember my first maths competition in Year 7. I’d earned my spot on the team, but when I asked how I could contribute, one of the boys told me to “just sit there and look pretty.”

Experiences like that didn’t push me away; they fuelled my determination to help shape a more inclusive future.

Studying data science and psychology helped me understand the social responsibility that comes with building transformative technology. Entering the field just as generative AI accelerated meant I was learning alongside the technology itself, constantly questioning its assumptions and implications.

At times during my studies, those same feelings of dismissal resurfaced. But finding a community of like-minded women at university helped me feel seen and supported. It reminded me of the importance of connection and belonging in encouraging diverse voices to step forward and shape technology.

My experience is just one example of a wider challenge facing the world and Aotearoa.

Diversity in Technology Across Aotearoa

It’s easy to view The Time’s list as a reflection of global power structures far from Aotearoa. But the truth is that the same disparities exist here, too.

In New Zealand, only 27% of the technology workforce is female, and just 2.8% are Māori or Pasifika. These numbers show that we’re at risk of building AI systems that benefit only those already overrepresented in the room, while overlooking the communities that make Aotearoa unique.

As someone early in my career, I’ve often looked around offices or industry events and noticed how little diversity there is. Those moments make those numbers real, but they also highlight an opportunity. AI in Aotearoa is still taking shape, which means we still have time to shape it differently.

A Future We Can Shape Together

Being part of The AI Assembly reminds me that the future of AI is strengthened when more of us are in the room. HerAI gives women the chance to learn, connect, and lead in shaping the future of AI. By sharing my story, I hope more young women feel the confidence to step into these spaces and influence what comes next.

When we show up, the future of AI becomes more human, more inclusive, and more reflective of Aotearoa.

Author Notes

This is an opinion piece grounded in personal experience, aligning with The AI Assembly’s focus on human-centred, inclusive AI education.

References:

https://nztech.org.nz/2022/06/15/diversity-critical-for-nz-tech-sectors-future/ https://www.womentech.net/women-in-tech-stats
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/girl-trouble-breaking-through-bias-ai-0 
https://time.com/collections/time100-ai-2025/