We sought to address the above needs with a set of 4 project objectives. Firstly, to address the AI-gender-gap by enhancing women’s participation in AI through introductory and inclusive readily available educational material. Secondly, to motivate women specifically towards AI careers and skills which would most specifically address the selected 5 SDG goals, capitalising on AI’s shown positive application to the development of gender and environmental issues. Thirdly, to encourage women to approach this holistically and entrepreneurially. Fourthly and lastly, we wanted to target youth specifically through a fun, inclusive, positive, and engaging game environment. The game-based approach is shown to also be specifically useful for developing soft-skills related to AI, such as engagement, and critical thinking through decision-making quests, which is a prominent feature of the game.
The project was developed in response to three connected needs. First, after COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, international attention had shifted away from the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially environmental priorities. At the same time, generative AI was emerging as a major commercial and social force, while studies suggested it could support progress across many SDGs. Secondly, our research showed that women were already facing an AI gender gap alongside existing STEM and pay gaps, with relatively few women considering AI-related careers despite the field’s growing social and employment relevance. Thirdly, the EU Youth Strategy’s focus on equal opportunities and active youth participation created a clear opportunity to support young people, particularly young women, to use AI for SDG-related challenges while developing future-oriented skills. The project therefore focuses on SDGs 5, 6, 7, 13 and 17, linking gender equality, clean water, clean energy, climate action and cooperation. The consortium was built accordingly, bringing together a university, a VET centre, two SMEs and two youth organisations, reflecting how the AI gender gap cuts across academic, corporate and start-up environments.