Sheila Flavell
CBE, President of techUK & COO of FDM Group
As AI slips more seamlessly into our lives, this International Women’s Day, we must put our efforts behind creating a safer online experience for women and girls.
AI, used wisely, can be used for good. AI-enabled content moderation can identify harmful material, reducing people’s exposure to graphic or abusive content. Paired with human oversight, these systems can make online spaces cleaner and easier to monitor.
How AI can be used for harm
In contrast, Generative AI tools can be used for new forms of abuse, particularly against women, young people and marginalised communities. The Internet can be as hostile as it is empowering, with evolving threats like deepfakes increasingly used for targeted digital violence. Deepfake pornography makes up 98% of all deepfake videos online, and 99% of the individuals targeted are women.1
Such exploitation and misinformation don’t just harm individuals; they erode trust in the digital world itself. A truly inclusive digital future is one where people can participate confidently and securely, without having to weigh opportunity against personal risk.
Our members take these risks seriously and are actively working to address harms linked to AI. We’re also supporting Ofcom’s proactive efforts to tackle gender-based abuse, demonstrating how the UK is setting itself apart in the fight against cybercrime.
Generative AI tools can be used for new forms of abuse, particularly against women, young people and marginalised communities.
Partnerships to help manage risks
Regulation alone cannot solve these challenges. Building strong standards and industry collaboration are vital to managing emerging risks. And while the Online Safety Act is built to be adaptable, the Government has stated its intent to fill the gaps in AI threats.
As UK laws progress and mature, building resilience also requires equipping people with the skills to navigate an AI-driven world. AI literacy is becoming as fundamental as reading literacy. People need to understand how AI systems shape what they see, how misinformation spreads and how to critically evaluate digital content.
Throughout March, techUK will be highlighting the technology sector’s pursuit to shape a better digital future through a TechTogether campaign. Because the truth is, we cannot build a truly equitable tech future if everybody can’t participate in the digital world confidently and securely.
[1] Security Hero. 2023 State of Deepfakes: Realities, Threats, and Impact
