Integrating AI into Co-Design Processes to Achieve Gender Equality in the Innovation Ecosystems of Brazil and Portugal: A Literature Review

Gender inequality remains a pervasive issue, affecting multiple sectors and perpetuating stereotypes embedded in societal power dynamics. The increasing integration of artificial intelligence increases the urgency of understanding the role of AI in innovation ecosystems and its ethical implications, particularly its impact on gender dynamics and the barriers to equitable participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This study examines the evolution of gender representation in the technological workplace, highlighting both barriers to and opportunities for gender equality within innovation ecosystems in Brazil and Portugal. An integrative literature review was conducted to examine how integrating AI, particularly generative AI, into design practices presents challenges and opportunities for achieving diversity and inclusion. To foster a more equitable innovation ecosystem, it is critical to address these barriers and harness the potential of AI to break down barriers and promote gender diversity in STEM and innovation ecosystems. The findings highlight persistent barriers to gender equality in Brazil and Portugal, such as entrenched stereotypes and systemic biases, while identifying opportunities to promote gender diversity in the innovation ecosystem through design using AI as a tool for co-creation.