Historic gender bias has long placed women at heightened risk of social and economic disadvantage, a situation now deepened by the rapid rise of unregulated automated decision-making. 

This policy brief examines how the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models is amplifying risks to women’s economic equality in Australia. Drawing on recent evidence from employment, financial and housing sectors, this report provides gender-responsive recommendations for regulation and oversight. It offers targeted strategies to mitigate algorithmic discrimination and ensure that the benefits of AI innovation are shared equitably by women and other marginalised groups.

Recommendations

1. Ensure AI research and development strategy and funding has a gender lens and prioritises the elimination and minimisation of algorithmic bias.
2. Ensure that employment, housing and the financial sector are classified as high-risk for the purposes of AI Safety Standards.
3. Consider making the AI Safety Standards, including the 10 AI Guardrails, mandatory for all sectors.
4. Ensure all Government AI strategies, frameworks, regulations and action plans include a gender impact statement, especially in relation to productivity.
5. Develop regulations for AI adoption in the private sector.
6. Re-establish the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ AI Expert Group and ensure the group has sufficient expertise and capacity to advise on the gender impacts of AI development and deployment.