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Gender Bias in Generative AI
This self-paced online module in two parts helps UN personnel recognize and address gender bias in generative AI, using examples drawn from UN operations and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. It takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete and is offered free of charge to UN personnel.
Generative AI tools are increasingly part of everyday work across the United Nations (UN) system, from drafting communications and reports to supporting analysis and decision-making. Yet these tools can also reproduce and reinforce gender bias, with risks that are particularly acute in humanitarian, peace, and security contexts, where AI-assisted outputs that ignore or misrepresent gender can translate directly into harm.
This online module was developed in-house by UNSSC. It introduces UN personnel to the ways Generative AI systems can produce gender-biased outputs and equips them with practical strategies to identify and mitigate these risks. Structured in two parts, and preceded by a foundational note on terminology, the module is complemented by a live, continuously updated repository of resources. Grounded in the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, it uses realistic workplace scenarios to help participants engage critically and responsibly with Generative AI in their own work.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Recognize how generative AI systems can reinforce gender bias;
- Identify key gendered risks associated with the use of generative AI tools within the UN system;
- Recognize the technical features of generative AI that create gender-related risks in outputs;
- Apply practical steps to reduce the risk of gender bias when using AI-generated content in your work.
This is a self-paced, fully online module lasting approximately 1.5 hours in total. It combines short explanatory content with practical, scenario-based learning activities drawn from real UN operational and WPS practice examples. Throughout the module, participants are invited to reflect individually and share their own views, experiences, and challenges, making the learning experience interactive rather than purely instructional. The module can be started, paused, and resumed at any time, at the participant's own pace.
Note on Terminology: foundational reading (required before starting Module 1);
Module 1: Why does gender bias in Generative AI matter for UN personnel? (40 minutes);
Module 2: How to identify and address gender bias in AI-generated outputs (40 minutes);
Repository of Resources: a live, continuously updated collection of resources and references.
This module is primarily designed for UN personnel. It was developed primarily with staff working across humanitarian, development, peace, and policy contexts in mind, areas where the gendered risks of Generative AI are most acute and where AI-assisted outputs that ignore or misrepresent gender can most directly translate into harm. The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda provides the module's primary analytical lens.
That said, the dynamics addressed in this module are not limited to programmatic or field contexts, and the module is relevant to anyone using, or considering using, Generative AI tools in their work across the UN system, not only WPS or gender specialists.
Recognizing that this topic is also relevant beyond the UN, non-UN personnel interested in the module are welcome to get in touch to express interest in accessing it.
This online module was developed in-house by UNSSC and it is offered free of charge to UN personnel. Interested non-UN personnel are welcome to get in touch with UNSSC directly to inquire about access.