Recent concerns have been raised about the domination of men in AI policymaking roles, which some experts claim is leading to a ‘tech bro takeover’.
- Professor Dame Wendy Hall expressed dissatisfaction with the male-dominated AI policy landscape after the government disbanded its AI Council.
- The AI Safety Summit held last November faced criticism for its lack of inclusivity, particularly concerning female and academic representation.
- There is a growing worry about a monoculture in AI discussions, potentially sidelining a broader societal perspective.
- Calls have been made for a more inclusive approach to AI policy, involving a diverse range of voices from across society.
Concerns have been voiced regarding the increasing male dominance in senior artificial intelligence policymaking positions, with Professor Dame Wendy Hall highlighting this issue following the dissolution of the government’s AI Council. She noted a significant reduction in female leadership, remarking, “We had a lot of senior women running the AI Council and being involved in AI governance, but the tech bro takeover changed all that.”
At the recent Oxford Generative AI Summit, Hall articulated her worries about the exclusionary nature of the government’s AI safety summit, which she described as being overwhelmingly attended by industry figures and government policy experts, with minimal representation from women and academia. This exclusion, according to Hall, demonstrates a narrowing of the discourse to what she calls a ‘monoculture’.
Hall lamented that the latest governmental efforts appear to dismiss the future contributions of academics by not inviting them to pivotal discussions. She stressed that universities and researchers are critical, as they are working on innovations that may take decades to be realised commercially.
Additional criticism came from Exeter MP Steve Race, who dubbed the AI Safety Summit a “damp squib,
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implying that the event did not achieve meaningful outcomes. Race acknowledged the UK’s unique position in being able to lead global AI discussions but criticised the missed opportunity for influential follow-ups.
Casey Calista, speaking at a technology panel during the 2024 Labour Party Conference, echoed these sentiments. She emphasised the importance of incorporating civil society in regulatory discussions, critiquing the previous government’s approach as treating civil society as an afterthought. Calista affirmed that future strategies should adopt a ‘whole of society’ approach that includes diverse perspectives.
A shift towards more inclusive AI policymaking is necessary to ensure diverse voices contribute to the conversation.
