On November 27, StrategEast hosted a roundtable titled “The Influence of AI on Women – Ethics, Vulnerabilities, and Bias.” The event explored how artificial intelligence is shaping the lives of women in Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, and Georgia, focusing on its potential to empower, transform the workforce, and address systemic challenges. This event is part of the AI Policy Dialogue initiative, supported by RECONOMY.
The discussion brought together leading experts to examine AI’s dual role as a driver of empowerment and as a tool for breaking down barriers to inclusion. Participants analyzed ethical considerations and gender-sensitive applications of AI, aiming to foster socio-economic participation for women while addressing vulnerabilities and biases in its development.
The roundtable featured diverse voices from across the region. Irina Stomatovic, an intervention manager for the Inclusive Jobs in ICT project under RECONOMY, opened the event by setting the context for AI’s impact on gender biases, employment, and inclusivity in AI development.
The first session, focusing on AI’s Role in Shaping the Workforce and Women’s Participation in Tech, featured three distinguished speakers. Kateryna Stetsiuk, Principal AI Consultant and AI Advisor from Ukraine provided insights on workforce transformation, including emerging roles, automation risks, and the importance of skill development in the tech sector. Nino Enukidze, Rector of the Business and Technology University and founder of the Coding School for Women in Georgia shared examples of workforce inclusivity programs, including mentorship initiatives and policies that support women’s careers in technology. Ana Chirita, Strategic Projects Director at ATIC in Moldova, presented Moldova’s AI-driven initiatives and programs supporting women in the tech ecosystem.
The second session, AI as a Catalyst for Empowerment and Equality, examined how AI can break down systemic barriers and foster leadership opportunities for women. Key speakers included: Veronica Crețu, Public Policy and AI4Government expert and envoy with the Open Government Partnership, who discussed the role of data governance and AI-driven decision-making in promoting equitable access to resources and leadership opportunities. Yuliia Malich, Head of Public Policy for Ukraine and West Asia at Bolt presented how AI systems are used to improve women’s safety and inclusion in mobility services, offering solutions to address gender-based violence. Natia Sirbiladze, CEO of Exactpro’s Tbilisi Office and co-founder of GeoSTQB, emphasized the significance of mentorship and global collaboration in advancing female leadership in tech. She highlighted her own experiences as a leader and advocate for practical, scalable empowerment initiatives for women in technology.
The event emphasized the importance of practical, scalable, and inclusive empowerment initiatives. Speakers examined how collaboration with global partners and effective governance of AI-driven data solutions could drive gender equality and leadership opportunities in the region.
