Hack AI solutions for gender equality

In 2019, Vinnova initiated the program "AI for increased gender equality". The aim is to support the development of AI solutions that can contribute to solving gender equality challenges. We have known for several years that the development of AI systems and AI solutions has resulted in significant risks for discrimination against different groups in society and the reproduction of the major equality challenges that exist historically in society. The problem is global and currently researchers, tech companies and a number of organizations are putting considerable resources into highlighting the problem. Knowledge, regulations and policies are developed to counteract the negative effects that the development and implementation of AI can cause.

However, today there are few initiatives that change the mind set - and investigate how AI can actually be a tool in the service of gender equality. The initiative "AI for increased gender equality" is about just that. In our Hacks, we want to stimulate and support actors to explore how AI can be involved in solving gender equality challenges that are both national and global. Through these investments, we contribute to the development of new AI solutions, new AI experts (eg gender experts) and AI knowledge that is needed for a sustainable and resilient societal development.

In the 2023 Hack, Vinnova has identified three challenge areas where there are currently not enough good AI solutions:

• Equal power and influence within organizations.
• The unpaid work, which in many ways is a brake on increased gender equality in a number of other areas of society.
• Gender-based violence.

You are important, get involved!

The actors we like to see participate in our hacks are gender or equality experts, AI experts, Start-ups, companies - and all other committed actors who want to contribute with AI solutions for increased gender equality.

If you want to participate, you can register via the registration link further down the page. The last day for registration is October 22. You can either register yourself or with a team. If you are alone, you will be assigned a team and work with them on a challenge. There will be mentors who support the process and for those of you who have the opportunity to be in Stockholm, the SPACE community at Sergels Torg 2 opens its doors to participants who want to meet on site and hack on November 3-5.

As results of the hack, we hope to see innovative solutions within the challenge areas we have identified. Preferably solutions that can eventually be commercialized and generate new companies. We also hope that women who do not usually work with AI become more interested and engaged in the technological development that affects us all and through this effort find an interest in and want to be involved and influence the development in a positive direction.

The results we have seen from previous Hacks are many ideas and prototypes - but also more far-reaching, ready-made solutions that have since been tested and commercialized. Below are some examples of exciting solutions from previous Hacks that have been taken forward:

• Algorithms for Peer-to-Peer Business Advisory Decisions.
• AI solutions for editing children's books.
• Decision support to counter stereotypes and promote equal and inclusive content in, for example, recruitment ads and books.
• Decision support for better diagnosis of women's cardiovascular diseases.
• Decision support that promotes equal pension saving.

We hope you want to participate in the development of tomorrow's AI solutions - for a more equal world.

Sign up

Register for Hackaton: AI for increased gender equality (here is also information on who to contact if you want to sit at SPACE):

Read more at Global Ethics Hackathon | Women in AI (WAI)