EQUALS in Tech Award

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Women in Digital Transformation (WinDT), as part of an international consortium working within the Equitable AI Challenge initiated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Digital Frontiers, and DAI, played a pivotal role in supporting the Ministry of Education in Guanajuato, Mexico ensure they have valid, reliable and up-to-date information about the state of the local education system. To do this, they have been developing and harmonizing databases with information regarding student attainment and overall school performance.

The EQUALS in Tech Awards celebrate initiatives, projects, movements, organizations, and institutions worldwide working to bridge the gender digital divide. Organized by the EQUALS Global Partnership, a network of over 100 NGOs, private sector companies, international organizations, and research institutions, these awards recognize outstanding contributions to advancing gender equity in technology.

The consortium, comprising Itad, PIT Policy Lab, WinDt and Athena Infonomics, presented a compelling proposal that focused on mainstreaming gender perspectives and mitigating gender biases in AI-driven educational policies, particularly in the context of the Secretariat of Education of Guanajuato (SEG). 

One key aspect of the initiative involved capacity building within SEG, where strategic teams gained insights into the ethical, gender, and human rights implications of AI in public policy. Workshops empowered SEG to integrate a gender-sensitive approach into the development of their AI-powered Early Warning System (EWS). To address potential biases, the consortium employed the AI Fairness 360 (AIF360) tool, identifying and mitigating gender bias in the outcomes. In collaboration with the consortium, we introduced two critical resources to SEG—the Ethical AI Guide and the AI Checklist for policymakers and technical teams to drive ethical AI systems that are mindful of privacy and inclusivity. 

The project’s success extends beyond Guanajuato, with virtual sessions organized to share insights with other Latin American governments and Mexican states. A Latin American network for collaboration on AI and educational innovation is in the pipeline, demonstrating the potential for global impact 

As the project moved forward, the lessons learned and actionable policy recommendations generated by WinDT and the consortium served as a guide for SEG and other local governments navigating the complexities of AI-driven policies in education.

For detailed information and resources related to this transformative project, visit www.policylab.tech/equitable-ai.