Thank you, everyone.
Madam Chair and honourable members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear today.
My name is Indra Kubicek. I am the CEO of Digital Moment, a national bilingual charity that has spent over a decade empowering young people, with a particular focus on girls in under-represented communities, and educators with digital skills and confidence.
We stand at a pivotal moment. Artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how we work, learn, make decisions and participate in society. While the potential opportunities are extraordinary, we risk the benefits not being evenly distributed unless we act with intention. My concern is that women in historically under-represented communities risk being left behind, not because they lack ability but because we are not creating the conditions for their success.
I want to focus on three challenges.
First, who is shaping the future of AI? Women remain significantly under-represented in AI research, development and leadership roles. This is not simply about equal representation. It is about whose perspectives shape technology and whose needs are being overlooked.
AI is not neutral. It learns from historical data, which reflects existing inequalities. Without safeguards, we risk codifying those biases into systems influencing our lives. We need women from diverse backgrounds and 2SLGBTQI individuals participating in AI design, governance and safety, because diversity isn't just about creating opportunities for women. It's about building better and safer systems for everyone.
Earlier this month, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution calling for greater participation of women and girls in digital technologies, mentioning AI 18 times in the document. Canada has an opportunity to be a leader and turn that commitment into action.
Second, who benefits economically and who is most at risk? Women are disproportionately represented in occupations exposed to generative AI, particularly administrative roles.
Also, consider women returning from maternity leave. I've spoken with women, even highly educated senior leaders, frightened by how much their workplaces changed while they were away, and they often return without the necessary training to catch up. Consider women entrepreneurs. AI could transform their productivity, yet women-owned businesses are less likely to adopt emerging technologies.
We need AI literacy, and it cannot be reserved for technology careers. It must become a foundation for economic participation. Women need trusted spaces to learn, ask questions and build confidence without fear or judgment.
Third, how do we ensure the next generation—young girls—have a different experience? If we want women leading AI in a decade from now, we must invest in girls today. We cannot wait until university, when too many have already decided that they don't think this is a career for them. Girls need age-appropriate AI learning opportunities, ideally before 12 years old, when confidence and perceptions of possibility are taking shape. They need mentors, role models and opportunities to create, question and solve problems, and to see themselves not simply as users but as people shaping technology.
This isn't just an education strategy. It's an economic one. Building this pipeline requires sustained investment, not isolated programs or short funding cycles.
What do I propose the federal government do?
First, invest in inclusive AI literacy starting young and continuing throughout women's careers.
Second, support targeted workforce and entrepreneurship programs, particularly for women facing career transitions and barriers.
Third, unite government, industry, educators and not-for-profits around a long-term commitment to inclusive AI with accountability for addressing discrimination and measuring progress.
Let's set a measurable goal for 2035, a Canada where women are significantly better represented in AI leadership, development and economic opportunity. We are not simply witnessing a technological transformation. We are shaping a societal one. The question is not whether AI will change women's lives. It already is. The question is whether we will ensure they have the opportunity to shape that change.
Let's make sure that the future of AI is built with women, not simply for them.
Thank you.