Particularly urgent given the scale at which Automated Decision-Making (ADM) systems are being deployed Affirmative Action for Algorithms (A+) is needed in order to correct real life bias and barriers that prevent women from achieving full participation and rights in the present, and in the future we invent. The A+ Alliance is comprised of concerned technology leaders, government agencies, nonprofits, and academics committed to gender equality in ADM. This global movement has thus far developed: resources and algorithms for the public and private sector to use to ensure gender equality in ADM; resource library including a first of its kind report focused on gender, AI and ADM; free resources and algorithms for individuals and organisations to use to support gender equality in ADM; and a website and global media campaign. The A+ Alliance focuses on awareness raising and advocacy for algorithm accountability in framework discussions being held multilaterally and implementing low cost targeted pilots across geographies on the municipal level. The pilots use cutting edge technology to create algorithmic interventions to solve real world problems with technology, not only check for bias and are tailored to women and girls and the acute and diverse threats they face.

https://aplusalliance.org

• International

• Women

The A+ pilots can be replicated in municipalities across the globe (in response to the local context of women in these municipalities). The open source resources and algorithms developed by the A+ Alliance can be used by the public and private sector to use to ensure gender equality in ADM.

The A+ Alliance is led by two reputable and extremely experienced civil society organisations that have delivered results advancing gender equality internationally. Women at the Table an ECOSOC accredited civil society organisation established in 2015 and based in Geneva is responsible for co-founding International Gender Champions, a leadership network that brings together female & male decision-makers to break down gender barriers. Champions include the current UN Secretary General, ITU Director-General, WHO Director-General, WIPO Director General, WTO Director-General, among 235 active Champions who head organizations in Geneva, New York, Vienna, Nairobi & the Hague. Within a short period of time W@TT has delivered changes in the way global institutions tackle gender equality. Achievements include the 2017 coalition conception and advocacy of The Buenos Aires Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment joined by 120+ Member States and Observers, and the 2019 Gender-Responsive Standards Declaration, signed by 50+ international, regional and national standards bodies, including the International Standards Organization, pledging to make gender action plans for their institutions within the year. Ciudadanía Inteligente’s credentials have been outlined above.

The A+ Alliance promotes the broad WSIS’s values in building of information society. Grounded in human rights and the principle of international cooperation, the A+ Alliance is committed to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women in Artificial Intelligence and Automated Decision-Making (ADM) (articles 1, 2, 3,, 4, 5, 12, 18, 36, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 WSIS Declaration of Principles). The core element of the A+ Alliance is promoting inclusive algorithms so that AI and ADM serve humanity, democracy can thrive and no one is left behind (article 3, 51 WSIS Declaration). The A+ Alliance recognises that building an inclusive information society requires new forms of solidarity, partnership and cooperation and brings together concerned technology leaders, government agencies, nonprofits, and academics committed to addressing gender equality in AI + ADM (article 17 WSIS Declaration of Principles). The A+ Alliance focuses on gender equality in AI + ADM systems throughout the world including in developing and developed countries (article 16 WSIS Declaration of Principles). The A+ Alliance advocates for (amongst other things): the inclusion of women throughout the AI + ADM process and in decision-making positions (article 12); and embedding digital literacy within society (articles 8, 29 WSIS Declaration of Principles). The A+ has developed a number of free resources and algorithms for individuals and organisations to use to support gender equality in AI + ADM (article 27) and promotes an enabling environment for ICTs and in particular gender equality in AI + ADM (articles 38, 39, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50 WSIS Declaration of Principles).