Women's role in AI innovation takes center stage at 2026 bund forum

At the 2026 Inclusion·Bund Summit on September 11, women from diverse backgrounds showcased their AI innovations, highlighting their role as creators and participants in the AI era. Liu Liqun, president of China Women's University, emphasized the transformative potential of digital technology for women, while also cautioning against gender gaps and algorithmic biases. Yang Jianghua of Xi'an Jiaotong University noted that AI could impact up to a quarter of global jobs, with women representing 4.7% of roles affected. The summit featured discussions on AI's impact on employment and health, with examples like Wang Yan of Yida China and Xu Ning of Ant Science highlighting how AI is enabling women to access new opportunities and remote work. Nadia Rasheed of the UN Population Fund stressed the importance of involving women in AI design to ensure it meets their health needs. Young women and grassroots innovators also presented projects, such as Jia Yishan's smart medicine box and Mu Yumei's AI writing assistant, demonstrating how AI can address real-life challenges. Lai Yunqi of FLOW AI noted that AI is lowering barriers for small teams, empowering women to develop products and start businesses.