Black Women Leaders Champion AI, But Many Still Left Behind

As the year ends, I find myself in a reflective mood, taking a step back to assess the current state of AI and its impact on our workforce and society. This isn't just about winning accolades or awards — it's about fostering a future where everyone wins. The challenges we face with AI adoption are more significant than those faced by any single person or organisation. They require collective effort, equity, and action.

Recent reports have spotlighted a troubling disconnect between the rapid adoption of AI and the preparedness of employers to implement it in a way that is both effective and fair. According to HR consultancy Randstad, while 75% of companies have adopted AI technology, only one-third of employees received AI training over the past year. This is a stark reality check on how unprepared we are for the future of work, especially when ensuring fair access to training and development.

In my book, She Disrupts: A Black Woman's Journey in STEM and AI Industries, I highlight the very real consequences of this inequity. When AI is implemented without thoughtful consideration for who has access to skilling opportunities, we risk deepening the existing divides across race, gender, and generational lines. This issue is not abstract; it is lived and felt by those of us who have advocated for years to bring more Black women and marginalised groups into AI and tech-related fields.

The demographic disparities in AI skills and training are glaring. Men currently represent 70% of workers with AI expertise, compared to 30% of women. This imbalance is even more pronounced in specialised areas like deep learning, where men hold 75% of roles. While there is a slight shift among early-career professionals — with women now making up 34% of those with less than a year’s experience in AI roles — the pace of change is far too slow. Equity cannot be achieved with incremental gains alone.

Age-related disparities further compound this challenge. While 45% of Gen Z workers have had access to AI-skilling opportunities, only 23% of baby boomers have had the same chance. This generational divide reflects the broader inequities in our approach to training and upskilling. If we continue to ignore these gaps, we risk creating a future where only a select few are ready for the jobs of tomorrow.

These gaps are not insurmountable, but they require intention and coordinated action. As I plan my Christmas break, I am choosing to focus on what’s truly important — reflection, connection, and strategy. I’ll use this time to engage with like-minded changemakers, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss practical ways to bridge the gaps. This is not a solo endeavour. It ensures that marginalised voices are not left behind as the AI revolution accelerates.

I’m calling on employers, educational institutions, and governments to prioritise equitable access to AI skilling. Employers must recognise that the future of work depends on a workforce that is diverse, digitally fluent, and adaptable. This means offering targeted skilling programs for underrepresented groups, creating accessible training pathways, and ensuring mentorship opportunities are available to those most in need.

The reality is that we can’t continue with business as usual. The urgency is real. If we fail to act, the workforce of tomorrow will be even less diverse than it is today, and industries will face even more acute skills shortages. But if we get this right, we can create a future where talent, not privilege, dictates opportunity.

My book She Disrupts delves deeper into these themes, drawing on my journey and the collective experience of Black women navigating STEM and AI industries. It’s a call to action for those in positions of influence to recognise that equity must be built into every system we design. AI will shape every sector — healthcare, finance, education, and beyond — and we cannot allow its development to be guided by a narrow and exclusionary lens.

This holiday season, I’m inviting you to reflect alongside me. How can you be a part of the solution? How can you use your role, network, and resources to ensure that equity in AI isn’t just a talking point but a reality? Let’s connect, collaborate, and commit to building a future that works for everyone.

This isn’t about awards or individual wins; it’s about all of us winning together.

Call to Action: Join us in this mission to close the equity gap in AI. The Academy Achievers #BeMeDigitalinclusion initiative is at the heart of this work, providing essential mentorship, skills training, and pathways to opportunity for underrepresented groups. We seek mentors, advocates, and partners to support this vital cause. If you’re ready to make a tangible difference, visit Academy Achievers to learn more and get involved. Your mentorship could be the key to unlocking a brighter future for a young person ready to thrive in AI and tech.

https://linktr.ee/PauletteWatsonMBE

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