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AI Socialization: Gender Inclusion and Empowerment

Background

Based on the surveys conducted during the Launch and Co-Creation Workshop and Study Tour on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Potential Gender and Social Biases in Bangkok (25-26 May 2022); the research report on Gender Sensitive AI Policy in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand (here); along with the informal stakeholder validation meeting in October 2022, we see the interest from policymakers to learn and know more on gender-responsive AI policy.

There are four main areas of learning highlighted by the participants:

a desire to obtain technical training to better understand the different definitions and applications of AI.
significant interest in societal and gender biases and risks in AI and expressed a need for further training to understand how this could be possible from a technical and data perspective. also, it was also found important to increase awareness of people to understand AI to minimize risks.
learning more about the process from technological ethics to policymaking, and how some of their ethical frameworks could be converted to laws with penalties applied.
knowing about the standard setting for ethical AI across the region in relation to gender and societal bias.

In addition to training activity, participants also expressed interest in networking with AI policy makers, as well as the private sector inside and outside the region.

OBJECTIVES

Many ASEAN governments are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of developing AI strategies and initiatives to promote benefits, mitigate risks, and narrow the emerging divides associated with new technologies. However, the development of AI policy in some ASEAN countries is still at an early stage. Therefore, this socialization event aims to: i) Develop gender-sensitive AI awareness; ii) Build leadership capacity among female policymakers; iii) Foster knowledge exchanges on AI policy and standard.

Objectives	Activities	Sustainability Plan
i) Develop awareness among policy makers of the importance of inclusion of gender-sensitive AI in their regulatory processes	Day 1 Research Output dissemination	Organize an in-person policy workshop at each of the locations (Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia), which will feature the launch of the final policy report, along with a website that provides the, key research outputs, and links to courses, webinars, and networking opportunities. These workshops would be available to both women and men and would also allow key stakeholders in the countries to attend and speak. The talks could also be recorded and published on the website, and/or as course materials.
ii) Build capacity among female policymakers to lead AI regulation in their countries and enhancing standard	Day 1 Women dialogue and networking, as well as training	Offer the course as a priority to female policymakers in AI, critical technologies, information, and communications technologies, as well as gender, women, and families. Once a policymaker is enrolled in the course, provide access to network groups (which may be provided on LinkedIn group or a customizable platform such as Mighty Networks[1]). These groups would allow the participants to keep in touch with their cohort, while being in touch with other cohorts, as course participation grows.
iii) foster knowledge and experience exchanges on AI policy between policymakers in Southeast Asia	Days 1-2: Training to policy makers on AI & gender

Agenda

AI Socialization: Gender Inclusion and Empowerment
Wednesday, 15 March 2023
Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
08.30-14.00
Venue: Majestic 2 Room, Level 3

Time	Activity	Details	Speakers
08.30-09.00	Registration
09.00-09.30	Opening Keynote by MOSTI (TBC) Keynote by Ms. Atsuko Okuda, Regional Director, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
09.30-09.45	Presentation on the Project “Enhancing the Development of Standards and Frameworks for Critical Technologies in Southeast Asia":by Catherine Setiawan, ITU
09.45-10.00	Coffee Break
10.00-11.00	Research Report Dissemination “Gender Sensitive AI Policy in Southeast Asia", by Dr. Eleonore Fournier- Tombs, UN University of Macau (Access the report, here) Moderator: Ms. Preeti Raghunath, Monash University
11.00-12.20	Women Dialogue Serie: Gender Inclusion and Empowerment in Malaysia Speakers: Professor Aini Suzana, Associate Professor & Perdana Center of STI Policy, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Dr Jasmine Begum, Director of Legal, Government & Corporate Affairs, Malaysia and New Markets, Microsoft Dr. Sumitra Devi, Head / Senior Vice President, Strategy & Policy, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Moderator: Ms. Preeti Raghunath, Monash University
12.20- 12.35	Wrap-up, by Calvin Chan, ITU Presentation about ITU membership & Women AI Policy LinkedIn Group Monitoring & Evaluation
12.35-14.00	Photo Group & Networking Lunch

AI Training
Thursday- Friday, 16-17 March 2023
Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
08.00-17.00
(Only for Government)
Venue : Majestic 2 Room, Level 3

Thursday, 16 March 2023

Time	Activities	Detail	Proposed speakers
08.30-09.00	Registration Pre- test (M&E)
09.00-10.30	Training to Policy makers	Part 1: Introduction to AI for policymakers	Dr. Mongkol Ekpanyapong Asian Institute of Technology
10.30-11.00	Coffee Break
11.00-12.30	Training to Policy makers	Part 2: Gender and societal risks in AI	Dr. Joyee S. Chatterjee Asian Institute of Technology
12.30-14.00	Lunch
14.00-15.30	Training to Policy makers	Part 3: From ethics to policymaking in AI (Malaysia National Context)	Dr. Aini Suzana Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
15.30-16.30	Discussion
16.30-17.00	Closing

Friday, 17 March 2023

Time	Activities	Detail	Proposed speakers
08.00-08.30	Registration & Coffee Break
08.30-10.00	Training to Policy makers	Part 4: AI Standardization	Ms. Patricia Shaw Mr. Munir Mohammed IEEE
10.00-11.30	Training to Policy makers	Part 5: Ethical AI Standardization - Gender Responsive Standard	Ms. Patricia Shaw Mr. Munir Mohammed IEEE
11.30-14.00	Friday Prayer and Lunch
14.00-15.30	Training to Policy makers	Part 6: Tools for Policy Makers	Ms. Patricia Shaw Mr. Munir Mohammed IEEE
15.30-16.15	Discussion
16.15-16.30	Closing Post- test (M&E)
16.30-17.00	Coffee Break

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

This project is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under Australia’s Cyber and Critical Tech Cooperation Program.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

AI Socialization: AI Socialization: Gender Inclusion and Empowerment
Date: 15 March
Time: 08.30-14.00
Venue: Majestic 2 Room, Level 3, Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

AI Training (Only for Government)
Date: 16-17 March
Time: 08.00-17.00
Venue: Majestic 2 Room, Level 3, Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Focal Point
Catherine Setiawan
catherine.setiawan[a]itu.int

Resources

Download the Workshop Report AI Dialogue: Gender Based AI Policy in Malaysia here