For more than 100 years, IBM’s founding principles have inspired efforts to promote equality, justice and inclusion in the workplace and in society. The company embodies the value of “respect for the individual” by championing employment practices that reward ability rather than identity and make work more accessible to all.
In 1935, about twenty years after IBM was founded, the company began hiring women for professional positions. Three decades before the passage of the U.S. Equal Pay Act of 1963, IBM CEO Thomas J. Watson Sr. said: “Men and women will do the same type of work for equal pay. They will benefit from the same treatment, the same responsibilities and the same opportunities for advancement.
Over the years, many women have held leadership positions at IBM, including former CEO Ginni Rometty. Women have played a key role in initiatives across the organization, including the rise of AI.
“Women are as capable as anyone else of contributing to the technical development of AI, and they also care deeply about the impact of AI on individuals and society. This combination is exactly what we need now, to design and build an ambitious future, where technology supports human values rather than the opposite. An increased presence of women in AI will also make it fairer and more inclusive. A multidisciplinary approach to teaching AI is fundamental to helping women understand that it is a perfect fit for their talent and passion. -Francesca Rossi, IBM Fellow, Global Head of AI Ethics, IBM Research
As IBM continued its research and development into AI, it became clear that in addition to the positive aspects of the technology, there were also potential problems that required attention. “AI will have a transformative impact on daily life, business and much more. As with other technologies, certain ethical components must be respected to build systems based on trust.says Justina Nixon-Saintil, Chief Impact Officer and AI Ethics Council Member at IBM. “From our historical experience at IBM, we know that women play a fundamental role in shaping the future. That’s why two IBM women led the way when we created our AI Ethics Board, and that’s why we’re using our technology and expertise to empower more girls and women in ethical AI , among other areas..”
Since 2019, the AI Ethics Board has been co-chaired by two leaders: Christina Montgomery (Vice President, Chief Privacy and Trust Officer) and Francesca Rossi (IBM Fellow and AI Ethics Global Leader). Their unique backgrounds and perspectives have helped the board instill ethical and responsible technology governance and culture within IBM.
IA’s Ethics Committee is made up of leaders from across the company, including many esteemed women leaders. The AI Ethics Focal Points support the work of the AI Ethics Committee and its members. IBM is also incredibly fortunate to have many women in leadership positions at this level.
In addition to establishing policies and practices around AI ethics, the AI Ethics Board sponsors workflows that bring together experts from across the enterprise to address key challenges, questions and opportunities in AI. ‘business. These work streams often include women as executive sponsors.
A team of female leaders from IBM’s AI Ethics Board and AI Ethics Project Office tapped IBM experts to publish the paper. perspective on foundation patterns. They also collaborated with IBM Research and watsonx.governance™, led by Heather Gentile, director of watsonx.governance product management and focal point for AI ethics. Together, they developed the AI Risk Atlaswhich helps readers better understand the risks of using generative AI, baseline models, and machine learning models.
“In this unprecedented new era of global AI innovation, women are leading the charge in recognizing that the importance of innovation lies as much in its impact as in its invention. This crucial work to address and mitigate the immediate and long-term risks that AI poses to our society sets the standards for how we, as a global community, approach the integration of AI into our lives. -Christina Montgomery, Director of Privacy and Trust at IBM
For six consecutive years, IBM has been listed as one of the The World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. This recognition reflects IBM’s commitment to a strong governance structure and culture of ethics, embodied by its AI Ethics Committee and AI Ethics Focal Points. It also honors the strong women who drive IBM forward.
Learn more about AI ethics at IBM
Learn more about women in technology at IBM
Read the IBV study on women shaping the future of AI
Learn more about IBM creating an inclusive culture
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