The artificial intelligence (AI) industry is facing a critical diversity crisis, with women severely underrepresented across all seniority levels. This data brief quantifies the multifaceted underrepresentation of women in the global and European Union (EU) AI talent pool, highlighting the pressing need for targeted interventions to increase female participation in this rapidly expanding field.

Our analysis of data on nearly 1.6 million AI professionals worldwide reveals stark gender imbalances. Women comprise only 22% of AI talent globally, with even lower representation at senior levels – occupying less than 14% of senior executive roles in AI. Within the EU, the disparity is equally concerning. Europe has closed 75% of its gender gap , with Sweden and Germany among the top five European economies in closing the gender gap. However, our data reveals a stark contrast in the AI sector: Germany and Sweden have some of the lowest female representations in their AI workforces in the EU, at 20.3% and 22.4% respectively. This discrepancy raises serious questions about the unique barriers faced by women in the AI field.