Centre stage
Panel

AI for equality: Bridging the innovation gap

In person & online
  • Date
    8 July 2025
    Timeframe
    14:40 - 15:00 CEST
    Duration
    20 minutes
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    Join Cherie Blair CBE KC, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, and Doreen 
    Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), for 
    a high-level dialogue on harnessing the power of AI to drive inclusive economic growth for 
    women entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries (LMICs).

    As AI reshapes the business landscape, it holds unprecedented potential to unlock 
    innovation, expand market access, and drive efficiency for women-owned enterprises. But 
    without deliberate action, these same technologies could deepen existing gender divides. This session will explore how global tech leaders, policymakers, and civil society can work 
    together to ensure AI becomes a force for empowerment—not exclusion.

    With insights from cutting-edge research showing that nearly half of women entrepreneurs 
    in LMICs are already using generative AI—and a $30 billion market opportunity at stake—
    this session will highlight the business case for inclusion. Speakers will address how AI tools 
    can be made more accessible and relevant for women, how they can fuel inclusive lending 
    and procurement systems, and how ethical AI design can create a more level entrepreneurial 
    playing field.