As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, economies and societies, a growing debate has emerged around a critical question: who gets to build the technologies that will influence the future?
A new partnership between the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and Cardiff Metropolitan University is positioning itself at the centre of that conversation through an initiative designed to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in human-centred artificial intelligence.
The collaboration comes at a time when concerns about gender imbalance in technology and AI development are attracting increasing global attention. While artificial intelligence is often presented as a transformative force capable of solving complex challenges, experts have repeatedly warned that the benefits of the technology may not be evenly distributed if diverse voices are absent from its design, development and governance.
The FUTA–Cardiff initiative seeks to address that challenge by creating opportunities for women and girls to engage more actively in AI, digital innovation and emerging technologies. Through training, mentorship, research collaboration and knowledge exchange, the programme aims to help build a stronger pipeline of female talent within the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem.
At the heart of the project is the concept of human-centred AI, an approach that prioritises human needs, values and societal outcomes in the development of artificial intelligence systems. Rather than focusing solely on technological capability, human-centred AI emphasises fairness, inclusivity, transparency and accountability.
For advocates of the initiative, increasing women’s participation is not simply a diversity objective. It is increasingly viewed as a strategic necessity.
Research across the technology sector has shown that diverse teams are often better equipped to identify blind spots, challenge assumptions and develop solutions that serve broader segments of society. In the context of AI, this becomes particularly important because the systems being developed today are influencing decisions in areas such as education, healthcare, employment, finance and public services.
Related
- Rural women to use AI tools for faster access to justice, says NIPSS DG
- OpenAI Launches GPT-5.6 During Pivotal Moment for US AI Policy
- ALX Drives Gender Parity In Africa’s Tech And AI Workforce
- Women Leaders Call for Inclusive AI Policies at BlueChip Data and AI Summit
- UN AI Panel Begins Global Study Focused on Human-Centred AI Impact
The underrepresentation of women in AI and related fields has long been recognised as a barrier to creating technologies that adequately reflect the experiences and needs of different populations. According to various international studies, women remain significantly underrepresented in technical AI roles, leadership positions and advanced research programmes.
Against that backdrop, the FUTA–Cardiff partnership reflects a broader effort to ensure that future AI systems are shaped by a wider range of perspectives.
The initiative also highlights the growing role of international collaboration in AI development. As countries seek to strengthen their digital capabilities, partnerships between universities are becoming increasingly important for sharing expertise, expanding research opportunities and developing talent capable of competing in a global technology landscape.
For Nigeria, the programme aligns with wider efforts to increase participation in emerging technologies and strengthen the country’s position within the global digital economy. As artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across sectors, building local expertise is becoming an increasingly important priority for educational institutions, policymakers and industry leaders.
The focus on women and girls adds another dimension to that ambition. By encouraging greater participation at the educational level, the initiative seeks to address barriers that often limit women’s representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines before they reach the workforce.
Supporters argue that such interventions are necessary if developing countries are to fully benefit from the opportunities created by AI. Without deliberate efforts to expand participation, they warn, existing inequalities could become embedded within future technologies and digital economies.
While the long-term impact of the FUTA–Cardiff collaboration will depend on implementation, participation and sustained support, the initiative reflects a growing recognition that artificial intelligence is not solely a technological issue. It is also a social, educational, and economic one.
As governments, universities, and technology companies continue to invest in AI, the question is increasingly shifting from what artificial intelligence can do to who gets to shape it. The FUTA–Cardiff partnership is betting that expanding women’s leadership and participation will be an important part of the answer.
In an era where AI systems are expected to influence nearly every aspect of modern life, ensuring that those systems are developed by diverse and inclusive communities may prove just as important as the technology itself.
AI Writer
Bio: Joseph Michael is an MBA graduate in Marketing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and a passionate tech enthusiast. As a professional writer and author at AIbase.ng, he simplifies complex AI concepts, explores digital innovation, and creates practical guides for Nigerian learners and businesses. With a background in marketing and brand communication, Joseph brings clarity, insight, and real-world relevance to every article he writes.