Study calls for more AI training, mentorship to help young women lead in tech

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calls for young women to have more hands-on AI training, mentorship, and opportunities so they can be leaders in the tech. And these recommendations come after a study found that more young women say they lack confidence thriving in an AIdriven environment compared to men. A women's advocacy group behind the study says there could be untapped talent in Singapore's AI economy. Nadine Young reports. This 19-year-old uses AI every day. Even after she was familiar with its usage, she was initially not confident in taking things a step further. >> The biggest misconception was that you had to be super technical and you really had to know the ins and out of everything and really from it IT background. But, you know, coming into programs like UWS, Stanford Fintech, I think I found out that that really wasn't the case.

A United Women Singapore survey involved 800 students and young career starters, of which 640 were women. It found that while 84% of young women use AI at least weekly, only 6% feel very confident they will thrive in that techdriven future. That's compared to 16% of men. And while three and four young women have a foundational understanding of AI, only 5% rate their proficiency as advanced compared to 12% of men. It is back to the fact that they lack encouragement. They do not have the opportunity to see people right succeed. Yeah, females succeed in this space.

So hence it is important for us right to create the pathways right allow them access see the women at work you know have that mentor only about one in five young women believe AI careers are definitely open to both genders and while more than 2/3 know about AI learning programs fewer than 1 in five have participated young women are already familiar with AI but the challenge lies in getting them to see themselves doing more with the technology. United Women Singapore or UWS says building confidence goes beyond training but also mentorships and opportunities for young women to take on leadership roles. The Digital Development and Information Ministry notes how some women are already leading the way in the tech sector. Their experiences can inspire more women to follow suit.

By connecting these role models with women at different stages of their careers, UWS can help more women see what is possible for them and give them the encouragement to explore, learn, and take their next step with confidence. Building confidence in AI is a collective effort. Employers, industry partners, community organizations, and government all have a part to play in creating an environment where women feel supported in adopting AI. Other recommendations include more hands-on projects, flexible training options, and opportunities to apply their skills beyond traditional tech fields. [applause]