World With Women calls for inclusive AI

On October 13, World With Women released a manifesto advocating for more inclusive artificial intelligence, emphasizing that diversity should be a performance criterion rather than a limiting factor. The initiative argues that diverse teams can lead to better problem-solving and more innovative AI systems.

Diversity reduces blind spots in AI

The manifesto highlights that diversity allows for crossing perspectives, identifying blind spots, and designing differently. It notes that AI systems are built using data and shaped by people who decide the problems to solve, the criteria to use, and how to deploy the technology. Bias can emerge not only in the data but also in the decisions made and the people involved in the process.

Recruitment AI shows hidden bias

AI bias is illustrated in recruitment systems, where Dr. Cristina Lunghi, founder of Arborus, found that 80% of the words in job postings had masculine connotations. This led to the development of a tool to neutralize such language. Other biases, like assumptions about career breaks or location, can also disadvantage certain candidates without being explicitly discriminatory.

Diversity boosts economic performance

The economic impact of diversity is significant. McKinsey reports that the most diverse companies can achieve up to 25% more profitability, and more mixed boards can see up to 27% better performance. In 2023, European companies with diverse leadership teams had a 60% higher chance of being more profitable than average.

AI ethics and profitability

The ROI of AI Ethics report by the Digital Economist (2025) found that organizations with a structured approach to AI ethics saw a 13% return on investment, compared to 5.9% for others. Ethics audits were associated with a ROI up to twice as high, while 82 to 93% of AI projects fail, often due to poor governance or preparation. Diversity and inclusion can reduce risks and create value through better user understanding and trust.

Diverse teams improve AI outcomes

The 2026 publication Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Ensure Diverse Global Teams by Academic Press (Elsevier) reinforces the idea that diverse teams can reduce AI biases and produce more effective, fairer, and commercially successful systems. Inclusion is not just a corrective measure but a way to improve the product itself.

Inclusive AI tools and frameworks

Tools such as AI red teaming, population testing, and multidisciplinary teams can help test and improve AI systems without adding unnecessary bureaucracy. The cost of fixing biases after the fact is higher than integrating these practices from the beginning. The focus should shift from asking how much inclusion costs to asking how much a non-inclusive technology costs.

Global collaboration on inclusive AI

Dr. Cristina Lunghi collaborates with the Jordanian organization Intaj to strengthen AI maturity assessment criteria, including governance, ethics, and stakeholder involvement. Her International Charter for Inclusive AI, recognized at the AI Action Summit 2025-2026, has gained support from over 160 organizations, including Orange, the Bank of France, and L’Oréal. Inclusive AI is not only more just but also more competitive, better at understanding markets, detecting risks, and inspiring trust.