Mainstream AI models reflect patriarchal power structures rather than enabling feminist futures. The project of feminist AI, therefore, is not just about building representative or fair AI tools, but radically transforming AI innovation trajectories for structural justice.
Against this backdrop, IT for Change is pleased to support the Center for Global Digital Justice (CGDJ) on a new project titled the Inclusive AI Research Network (IARN). CGDJ will function as the South and South-East Asia hub for the IARN, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
This project aims to catalyze research and technological innovation for the creation of feminist AI tools and governance approaches. It advances feminist AI futures through a three-pronged strategy:
Component 1: Supporting prototype development and nurturing feminist alternatives through the FemFirst Lab
Component 2: Producing evidence for feminist AI governance by convening 10 research nodes
Component 3: Fostering a space for interdisciplinary dialogue with the research nodes and FemFirst Labs, accompanied by an in-person convening
Through these components, the project aims to identify and operationalize the building blocks of gender-transformative feminist AI innovation.
FemFirst Lab
April 2026: We released a Call for Applications for our feminist AI incubator, FemFirst Lab, soliciting prototypes that seek to address challenges of gender equality in a manner that is community-driven and responsive to local needs.
See more details here.