SHE Annual Symposium 2025: Youth Voices in AI and Gender Fairness

Introduction 

SG Her Empowerment (SHE) is an independent platform that champions gender equity by initiating impactful dialogues, to empower individuals from all segments of Singapore. The SHE Annual Symposium 2025 was not just a gathering of policymakers and industry experts—it was also an exciting opportunity for youths to have a voice in the conversation on Artificial Intelligence (AI), gender norms, and online safety. This year, two of our youths, Adnan Anwar and Anders Ang, joined the symposium, where they participated in panel discussions, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking performances to tackle the challenges of gender-based digital harms. 

Key Highlights 

The first panel discussion explored how misogyny manifests in online space. Experts discussed how cyber-harassment often extends into real life, making it clear that legislation alone is not enough. 

A powerful theatrical performance placed AI in the context of gender norms, prompting the audience to reflect on deepfake technology to create memes and the ethical implications of posting it. The discussion continued in breakout groups, where participants, including our youth attendees, explored strategies for civil discourse and public education as well as online trust and repair. 

The afternoon featured hands-on workshops led by experts from Google, LinkedIn, SHECARES@SCWO, Meta, K-ID, and Tinder, covering topics such as digital wellbeing, AI's impact on the workforce, privacy for young users, and online dating safety. Our youths were actively involved, learning about the real-world implications of AI on personal safety and career opportunities. They also learned about the Take It Down platform, a one-step service to help children and youths under 18 remove nude or sexually explicit photos and videos taken. 

The second panel addressed the gender imbalance in the AI field, highlighting the need for more women in leadership roles to shape the ethical, social, and practical applications of AI. 

Looking Ahead 

The symposium reinforced the urgency of collaborative action to address online harms and gender biases in AI. The youths shared the following reflections after the event:  

“It was an interesting event where we got to discuss the roots of problems with AI and how they affect gender equality, and possible solutions or measures we could enforce to ensure that the digital world becomes a safer space for all.  

One of my key takeaways from the second panel was that for progress to occur, we would require help and support from males and females alike. To truly make an impact and bring about change, we need each other. Additionally, it was quite obvious that AI, especially generative AI, requires strict regulations to maintain its proper use. Education was also discussed to be an extremely important factor in changing the online world's behaviour as true change starts from the individual. Everything went well and I found the experience to be very eye-opening. However, I wish that the workshops were more interactive and engaging as it was a one-way sharing.” - Adnan, 14 

“The event was a little intimidating at first. With CNA cameras, two ministers and an audience of formally dressed adults, Adnan and I really stood out from the rest of the crowd. However, we slowly warmed up as it was made clear to us that no shame or judgement will be given to anyone's opinion, and everybody has an equally important input. The event was a fun and info filled one with fun interactive sessions of discussion, panel talks, workshops and booths.  

During the event, I got to make many new friends from a wide range of backgrounds. They provided many different perspectives on the topics discussed. The interactive sessions were the highlight for me where we got to share each other's opinions and work together, as a group, to answer interesting and fun questions. Throughout the day, they made an effort to frame their questions in a fun manner, so it never felt like a chore to answer them. For example, they engaged the audience with a comedic skit while posing live in polls.  

However, I did feel that the panel discussions (each an hour long) were slightly dry and dense with information. The event was catered to adults – so there weren’t many interactive activities that were more suitable for youths.” - Anders, 16 

As AI continues to evolve and influence various aspects of society, it is crucial that young people—who will inherit and navigate this landscape—are actively involved in these conversations in an age-appropriate manner. Their perspectives bring fresh insights, ethical considerations, and innovative ideas that can help guide AI towards being more inclusive, responsible, and beneficial for all. By engaging youths in discussions and decision-making processes, we empower them to become proactive contributors to a future where technology aligns with human values and societal well-being.