The technology in our world is advancing in ways that are unimaginable—until they happen. For example, what used to be a “phone” is now a personal assistant powered by AI. And according to the UN, 5.5 billion of our world’s 8.2 billion people came online as of 2024. But what does this mean for our women and girls?
When it comes to tech industries, not surprisingly, there is still a huge divide between women and men. The globally-renowned WomenTech Network states that at the current rate, it will take more than 130 years to close the economic gender gap.
But just as technology is evolving exponentially, the speed at which we can reach gender parity can expand, too. With this vision, Amrita University held the International Conference on Gender and Technology (ICGT) from January 16 to 19. Five hundred global stakeholders came together to break today’s trends and reach those who would most likely be left behind.
In her honorary address Amma said, “Just like the two wings of a bird, men and women have an equal role to play in society. Only when this truth is accepted will society become harmonious.”
Amma emphasised the societal harm when women are not empowered, citing the loss of both direct contributions and care for others. She called upon women to embrace their unique qualities to transform the world.
Dr Bhavani Rao R is Amrita’s UNESCO Chair on Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment and Dean of the School of Social & Behavioural Sciences. Carrying forward Amma’s words, she stated, “Why now? It’s 2025, it’s time that we do something significant about gender equality.”
She further explained, “We have sparked vital conversations on the intersection of gender and tech, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. The impact goes beyond dialogue, inspiring change, fostering action, and building a community committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable tech future.”
Experiencing all of this in a deeply spiritual environment, surrounded by real women whose lives have been transformed by Amma’s initiatives—this reminds me why this work matters.”
Dr Manisha Gupta, Research Scientist at Google
ICGT took place in collaboration with UNESCO and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). As the world’s largest technical professional society, it is dedicated to advancing innovation and technological excellence for the benefit of humanity.
Although new terrain in our shifting world, ICGT had a compelling impact. More than 60 keynote speakers, panelists, and session chairs participated. They included government representatives, experts, policymakers, civil society, industry leaders, gender financing institutions, and a wide range of researchers and students.
Among those who contributed was Dr Manisha Gupta, Research Scientist at Google. In her keynote address, she questioned whether AI is truly for all genders in its present state. Through real-world examples, she concluded how AI-driven solutions can empower gender-diverse communities and create a more equitable technological world.
“This was the best conference I’ve ever been to in my life, and even now, almost daily, I find myself revisiting moments that fill my heart with gratitude,” expressed Dr Gupta.
“Hearing perspectives from some of the most accomplished technologists and social scientists in the world and experiencing all of this in a deeply spiritual environment, surrounded by real women whose lives have been transformed by Amma’s initiatives—this reminds me why this work matters.”
Given the scarcity of research at the intersection of gender and technology, the conference was proud to accept over 90 research papers and 15 poster presentations, showcasing a clear signal that this event is setting a trend in raising awareness around this crucial topic.
Another milestone was the launch of UNESCO’s Women4Ethical AI, South Asia Chapter. Co-chaired by Amrita University, it will promote greater participation of women in AI research, design, and policymaking across the region.
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Amma’s most Senior Disciple and President of Amrita University, shared his insights in a deeply moving way during the valedictory address. Insisting on using the term “human-made” instead of “manmade”, he expressed that nothing can surpass the ultimate technology created by the universe—the miracle of women conceiving, carrying and giving birth to all of humankind.
“Sorry, I must also confess that I once held an outdated perspective regarding gender neutrality and equity, often leaning more toward supporting men over women. This is the first time I’m confessing it in public.
“However, I have since embraced a far more balanced viewpoint, and this significant shift in my thinking is largely thanks to the power of Amma’s presence as a transformative influence for gender equality,” he said.
“Given this truth, how can we fail to acknowledge, respect, and value the contributions of women and other genders to modern technology?”
The transformative potential of AI in advancing gender equity also took centre stage at the GenAI x Gender Tech Hackathon. Emerging innovators from around the world developed solutions to address challenges faced by women and marginalised communities.
Out of 550 applicants, 250 participants formed 50 teams to compete. In a strong commitment to maximising social impact, all projects developed during the hackathon have been released as open-source solutions, allowing communities worldwide to implement and build upon them.
Another visionary presentation of ideas was the Cognitive Labyrinth— an interactive installation about how cognitive biases influence our perceptions of gender and the development of technology. Visitors navigated through 13 thematic stations and a cutting-edge Virtual Reality experience to reflect upon how to create a more equitable and just future.
