At a Gender & Economy Conference, experts warned that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) could either enhance economic opportunities for women or deepen inequalities, depending on access to education and digital skills.

The panel, moderated by LUMS faculty member Warda Riaz, featured insights from Fyeza Jehan, Usman Ali, Adnan Khan, and M. Farhan Majid. One panelist noted that women’s economic empowerment is linked to their capabilities, and that low-cost learning and digital skills initiatives can help overcome barriers.

The discussion highlighted that access to digital tools is transforming small business operations. Survey findings indicated that women entrepreneurs from around 80 countries are eager to adopt generative AI for tasks like accounting and payroll. AI could improve efficiency in women-led enterprises by reducing manual processes.

Estimates suggest Pakistan’s women-centric digital economy could be worth $500 million, given a female population of 73 million. However, low levels of education and literacy may hinder progress. Without intervention, technological advancements might reinforce existing inequalities. Panelists stressed the importance of investing in women’s digital education to ensure equitable economic growth and avoid falling behind in global productivity.