Analyzing the Potential and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Women's Right to Equality

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

2 Public and International Law Department, Faculty of Law and Political Science

Abstract

The advancement of artificial intelligence has significantly facilitated human life and accelerated progress.However,it has also raised profound concerns regarding the confrontation,competition,and potential replacement of humans by AI across various domains,aswellas the implications of this technology on humanrights.On the other hand,the deprivation of women from fundamental humanrights and the principle of equality between men and women have consistently been a focal point in international law and related instruments.the core objective of this research is:to identify the effects of AI on women’sright to equality and to explore the existing tools within internationallaw to condemn this form of inequality.The questions are:How has AI impacted women’sright to equality?Is there an existing or conceivable obligation or enforcement mechanism in internationallaw to prevent discrimination in the design of AI-based systems?The hypothesis posits that while AI exacerbates discrimination against women,recourse to soft law—particularly in obligating companies to uphold equality—offers a viable solution.This research,conducted through library-based information gathering,document analysis and logical reasoning, sheds light on the nuanced ways in which discrimination against women permeates AI-based tools,such as virtual personal assistants.Notable initiatives include the CommitteeontheEliminationofDiscrimination againstWomen addressing this issue through periodic country reports,the emphasis by the UnitedNationsCommissionontheStatusofWomen,and the efforts of theOfficeoftheHighCommissioner for HumanRights in special missions and engagements with major technology companies to adhere to the UN GuidingPrinciples on Business and Human Rights.The existence of these instruments, along with the use of interpretative tools, can help address the current normative gap.These resources provide a foundation for combating AI-driven gender inequality in the absence of comprehensive binding norms.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 12 May 2025
  • Receive Date: 13 November 2024
  • Revise Date: 02 March 2025
  • Accept Date: 12 May 2025