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Stories from the UNDP SDG Artificial Intelligence Lab
Women make up just 22% of AI professionals. UNDP's SDG AI Lab is working to change that.
Despite the rapid growth of the tech industry, women remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), especially in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. Women make up just 28 percent of the STEM workforce and 22 percent of AI professionals, with significant gender gaps in research, industry roles and leadership. Addressing this is essential for both fairness and technological progress.
International Women's Day on 8 March is an opportunity to celebrate women breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation of leaders in AI and data science. Since its inception, SDG AI Lab within UNDP's Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector in Development has been championing women in tech by leveraging AI, machine learning (ML), and geographic information systems (GIS) to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. The Lab is proud to have four women data scientists who exemplify resilience, innovation and the power of women in AI. Through its various programmes, the Lab has also trained 300 women, supported by 13 dedicated women volunteers, fostering an inclusive environment that encourages more women to pursue careers in AI and technology.
Supported by dedicated women volunteers, UNDP's SDG AI Lab has also trained 300 women pursuing careers in AI and technology.
Photo: UNDP
İrem Zırhlıoğlu joined the SDG AI Lab in September 2023, and since then, she has trained 400 young people, including 190 women, with programming and AI skills at Samsung Innovation Campus. İrem led a special cohort where 25 women in STEM received hands-on AI training. İrem’s contribution to women’s empowerment does not stop here, as she is also conducting research on biases in AI, including gender dimensions.
From an early age, İrem was drawn to problem solving, particularly in mathematics and physics, which fuelled her passion for science and technology. Inspired by her mother in engineering, İrem pursued her academic journey in chemical engineering focusing on sustainable energy and AI at Boğaziçi University. Like many other women, İrem has faced significant barriers in recruitment, performance evaluations, and networking — which can sometimes overshadow objective, merit-based assessments. She remains positive and believes in the "power of giving back to the community".
"My journey has been shaped by curiosity, collaboration, volunteering, and a passion for using engineering and technology to solve global challenges. I believe in the power of giving back to the community and hope to encourage more women to explore, lead, and inspire others in this field."
— İrem Zırhlıoğlu, Programme Analyst
Another success story of a passionate woman breaking all barriers is Eda Nur Saruhan. As the lead of the training component at the Frontier Tech Leaders Programme, Eda has trained 400 young people, including 106 women, in least developed countries (LDCs) with AI skills. She developed training components and delivered sessions of Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development Goals at Koç University.
Growing up, Eda was inspired by hands-on activities like learning mechanisms and fixing objects and watching science cartoons, which sparked her desire to become an engineer. Despite facing societal biases doubting women's capacities in a male-dominated field throughout her studies, she is pursuing her PhD in computer science and engineering. Through her involvement in Frontier Tech Leaders Programme, Eda learned more about similar yet distinct challenges faced by women data scientists in the LDCs. Their experiences strengthened her commitment to challenging societal biases and advocating for gender equality.
“My journey took a pivotal turn when I joined the SDG AI Lab. Initially, I was not fully aware of the struggles women face in LDCs or the full scope of the Sustainable Development Goals. But after engaging directly with them, my perspective shifted profoundly. That’s when I made it my mission to support these women and ensure they benefit from every opportunity.”
— Eda Nur Saruhan, Data Analyst
The SDG AI Lab’s commitment to diversity and inclusion goes beyond training and empowering women; it is embedded in the Lab’s DNA. The Lab has always strived to ensure diversity in developing cutting-edge solutions, as this is a key component of any innovative project.
Salsabila Prasetya, GIS Fellow at SDG AI Lab, works on sustainable land use and Digital Social Vulnerability Index projects. She also contributes to the development of a GIS course, which will train and empower more women with GIS and remote sensing skills. Salsabila, drawing from her experience, emphasizes the importance of persistence and self-belief in the face of challenges.
"My advice to fellow women in STEM is to stay committed to learning and believe in yourself. When faced with challenges, persistence is key."
— Salsabila Prasetya, GIS Fellow
Dila Aslan, as a Data Science Fellow at SDG AI Lab, supports natural language processing work. She contributes to projects that leverage large language models like GPT, Gemini and others for sustainable tourism and financial inclusion. Dila believes that
“True inclusivity in STEM begins with dismantling gender stereotypes from an early age and encouraging girls to explore science freely.”
— Dila Aslan, Data Science Fellow
These inspiring young women at the SDG AI Lab serve as powerful role models, demonstrating how diversity in technology drives innovation and meaningful change. Their stories not only inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEM but also show how breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes opens up opportunities for women and girls to shape the future of technology.
The SDG AI Lab is committed to this vision, advancing gender equality while leveraging frontier technologies for sustainable development. Through the continued empowerment of women in STEM and fostering an inclusive environment, SDG AI Lab is not just building innovative solutions; it is contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
