The race against time for smarter development: To be smart, the digital revolution will need to be inclusive

27 June 2021

The report underscores the need for inclusivity in the digital revolution, highlighting gender disparities in STEM fields. Women are underrepresented in digital and engineering roles, limiting their access to future job opportunities. Policy interventions, improved workplace conditions, and equitable funding are essential to fostering diversity in technological innovation and ensuring sustainable, inclusive development.

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OVERVIEW

Introduction

The digital revolution is reshaping economies and labour markets, but disparities persist in access to opportunities. Women remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), particularly in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, computing, and engineering. While globally, women represent 33.3% of researchers—up from 28.4% in 2013—their participation in Industry 4.0 fields remains limited.

Automation poses a particular risk to women’s employment. In England, 70% of employees in jobs at high risk of automation were women. The United Nations estimates that women will lose five jobs for every one gained in Industry 4.0, compared to men losing three jobs for every one gained. Access to digital tools is also unequal; in several developing countries, men are twice as likely to have internet and mobile phone access as women. Without targeted interventions, existing inequalities could widen as industries become increasingly automated and data-driven.

Little diversity in the tech sector

Women remain underrepresented in digital technology fields, particularly in leadership and technical roles. In artificial intelligence (AI), only 22% of professionals worldwide are women. At major technology firms, the proportion of women in technical roles remains low: 23% at Google and Apple, 20% at Microsoft, and 17% at Samsung. Despite efforts to improve diversity, progress remains slow.

Venture capital funding is another challenge. Women-led start-ups receive just 2.3% of global venture capital, limiting their ability to compete in technology-driven industries. In Africa, access to finance is cited as the biggest barrier for women in tech entrepreneurship. Large corporations are beginning to respond to the business case for diversity, with studies linking diverse leadership teams to increased investor confidence and profitability.

AI also presents ethical concerns regarding gender bias. Google’s speech recognition software is 70% more likely to recognise male speech than female speech. AI-driven tools that reflect existing biases risk reinforcing gender inequalities unless addressed at the design stage.

Global trends in higher education and research

Women have achieved parity at the undergraduate (53%) and master’s (55%) levels and are approaching parity in PhD programmes (44%). However, they remain underrepresented in engineering, physics, and computer sciences—fields central to Industry 4.0.

In research, women represent just 33% of the global workforce. Their participation is particularly low in Japan (17%) and South Korea (20%). Women are also underrepresented in business-sector research, which offers higher salaries and career growth opportunities. In Germany, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, fewer than 15% of researchers in industry are women.

Academic publishing reflects similar trends. Women are as productive as men in terms of research output but receive fewer citations and are less likely to publish in high-impact journals. A study of nearly three million computer science papers published in the USA found that gender parity in authorship is unlikely before 2100.

Vertical segregation in academia

Women face barriers in career progression within academia. While they make up 40% of academics globally, they remain underrepresented in senior positions. In New Zealand, a study found that men with similar research performance were more than twice as likely to be promoted to professor or associate professor.

Science academies reflect similar disparities. A 2015 study of 69 national academies found that women made up just 12% of members. Representation was lowest in mathematical (6%) and engineering sciences (5%).

The gender pay gap persists in research. Women receive smaller grants despite equal productivity. In South Korea, male researchers received double the funding of their female counterparts in 2017.

Conclusion

Women remain a minority in the most influential sectors of Industry 4.0. Without policy interventions, existing disparities may deepen. Addressing gender inequality requires structural change, including equal access to funding, leadership opportunities, and education in high-demand STEM fields.

The skills gap in AI and STEM presents an opportunity for women if investment in training and entrepreneurship is expanded. Companies that prioritise diversity benefit from increased investor confidence and profitability. Closing gender gaps in education, employment, and research will be essential for building an inclusive and sustainable digital economy.