Technology can perpetuate or even reinforce existing power dynamics, gender stereotypes and structures of social inequality. The ITA project investigates how these issues manifest in digital participation, generative AI, algorithmic systems and forms of digital violence.
The 2028 Women's Report was commissioned by Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister for Women, Science and Research. The report is intended to serve as a key evidence-based foundation for decision-making regarding future gender equality policy measures. Thematic chapters on statistics and key issues outline societal developments, particularly since the previous report in 2010. They highlight areas where political action is needed. In the ITA project, a thematic chapter on 'Digitalisation, AI and Gender Relations' is being drafted for the report.
The hope of the early 2000s that digitalisation could contribute to a fairer, non-discriminatory society has largely been disproved. Current debates on deepfakes, covert digital surveillance, and algorithmic discrimination highlight the persistence and intensification of gender-specific power structures. The continued strong male dominance in technical professions and the 'tech bro' culture are further evidence of existing gender-specific inequalities. Over the past ten years, academic literature on fairness in AI and critical data studies has identified numerous examples of discriminatory bias in algorithmic and AI systems.
Adopting an intersectional approach, the project will address three closely interlinked thematic areas and propose policy options for each area:
The thematic chapter is based on a review of literature and documents relating to structures of inequality, gender, digitalisation and AI. Analysing relevant policy documents and reports from NGOs (e.g., organisations providing protection against violence) will help illustrate the Austrian context.
