The UNESCO Office for the Caribbean recently hosted a regional online focus group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) fairness and online safety, bringing together 18 women from across the region to discuss how emerging technologies shape their digital experiences, rights, and safety. The session is part of UNESCO’s wider commitment to advancing gender equality and ensuring that digital transformation is inclusive, ethical, and safe for all.
The focus group aimed to gather insights that, alongside findings from a regional survey, will inform policy recommendations to address AI bias, strengthen online safety frameworks, and promote equitable access to digital technologies. These recommendations will guide future capacity-building initiatives and advocacy efforts across the Caribbean.
Led by Prof. Lila Rao-Graham and Dr. Suzana Russell, participants explored the impact of AI systems, including generative AI, on their daily lives—from education and healthcare to social media use. While recognizing the benefits of AI, participants highlighted emerging harms and emphasized the need for transparent design, responsible deployment, and greater public understanding of these technologies.
A key focus was technology-facilitated gender-based violence, with participants sharing experiences of online harassment, threats, misuse of personal images, and harmful AI-generated portrayals. Many noted that AI tools often fail to reflect Caribbean identities and cultural contexts, misrecognizing natural hair, accents, and perpetuating stereotypes about Caribbean women.
Despite these challenges, the consultation showcased resilience and collaboration. Participants called for stronger legal protections, enhanced digital literacy, early education on AI ethics and online safety, and sensitization programs engaging men and boys as allies. They also highlighted opportunities to leverage AI itself to detect and reduce harmful content.
As UNESCO observes the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, these discussions reinforce the importance of including digital spaces in the fight against violence. The initiative underscores UNESCO’s commitment to creating safer, gender-responsive digital environments and ensuring Caribbean women and girls help shape the future of AI, so systems better reflect their realities.
