Gender equality and artificial intelligence in Europe. Addressing direct and indirect impacts of algorithms on gender-based discrimination

Abstract

This article assesses whether current European law sufficiently captures gender-based biases and algorithmic discrimination in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) and provides a short analysis of a draft EU legislative proposal, the Artificial Intelligence Act. To this end, current trends and uses of algorithms with potential impacts on gender will be analysed through the lens of direct and indirect impacts for gender equality law, highlighting the implications for European gender equality enforcement. This article concludes that legislative and accompanying policy measures are necessary to ensure an effective gender equality policy and to avoid algorithmic discrimination.