Laura Bates on the impact of the AI Revolution

With artificial intelligence ever prevalent in so many aspects of our lives, it was timely to welcome the feminist author Laura Bates to address Year 10 and 11 students from three GDST sister schools – South Hampstead, Putney and Notting Hill and Ealing High School. 

Laura’s thought-provoking talk began with how her Everyday Sexism initiative became a global project, before highlighting how, many years on, she is turning her attention to the particular challenges and potentially harmful impact of AI. “We compare ourselves to a reality that doesn’t exist,” she said, citing countless examples of AI’s inbuilt gender inequalities and aggressive monetisation. “This technology has many brilliant and positive applications, but many unintended side effects.”  

Laura nevertheless gave a message of hope – that young people have a voice in countering stereotyping and bringing about change: “Be brave… Get curious… Start conversations and call things out. Arm yourself with knowledge. Our voices are the most powerful when made together.” 

Thoughts from the audience:

It was a message that was well received by the audience.

“I thought AI would be more inclusive than it is… We all need to stand up and say: you need to fix this, this is not ok.”  

“You can easily come across stereotypes about women that are not true.” 

“What would help? Having more jobs for women in AI…” 

Students asked excellent questions within a Q&A led by South Hampstead High School’s Head Girl Molly. Last year, Molly shared her views on feminism in the digital age with Microsoft’s global senior management; she has also written a blog post about the disproportionate threat of AI and deepfakes on women, and has even quizzed the Prime Minister on the topic.

Technology for the future:

Embracing new technology is a key part of the GDST’s forward-thinking approach to education. And questioning the intersection of new technology and equality, diversity and inclusion is vital as the GDST lives by its vision of creating a more equitable world for all by equipping girls to be the leaders and changemakers of the future.