Fatima AlKaabi, a young inventor and activist, discusses the challenges and importance of encouraging and retaining women in STEM fields. She outlines three key areas for improvement: representation, integration, and advocacy, emphasizing the need for diverse perspectives in technological development and everyday interactions.
Fatima AlKaabi proposes three key recommendations:
Fatima AlKaabi uses the term "intersectional glasses" to describe the approach of understanding all the intersecting identities that shape an individual's experience. This includes factors beyond gender, such as ethnicity, nationality, religion, and other personal characteristics.
This concept is important for advocacy because it highlights that:
Certainly. Fatima AlKaabi provides two key examples:
Car Safety Dummies: The dummies used to test airbags and seatbelts were primarily based on the average male body. This oversight led to a situation where these safety systems were less effective for women, resulting in a higher risk of death for women in car accidents. If a woman had been part of the development team, her perspective could have highlighted this flaw and led to a more inclusive and safer design.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development: When training AI, if the data and development teams are predominantly male, the resulting AI may develop biases or operate in ways that do not consider the perspectives or needs of half the population. This can lead to AI systems that are potentially racist or exhibit biases towards certain groups, ultimately impacting society negatively. Having women, and specifically women of color, on AI development teams is crucial to ensure AI understands and serves the entire population.
