As we mark Women’s History Month, it’s clear that the future of governance—whether in diplomacy or artificial intelligence—cannot be built without women at the center. AI is reshaping economies, governance, and public services at an unprecedented pace, and cities are increasingly stepping up to shape the global policies that will determine how these technologies impact people’s lives. The question is not whether AI will change our societies—it already is. The real question is: Who gets to decide how?
I have spent nearly a decade at the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, meeting with leaders from across the globe—heads of state, diplomats, mayors, civil society, and innovators—often just steps from the United Nations. These rooms pulse with urgency, where cities forge answers to pressing challenges. Cities like New York, Freetown, and Barcelona are not just proving this—they are sounding a clarion call for the world to act.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a whisper of the future; it is a force reshaping our present, set to add 13 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2030. It dictates who gets hired, how cities function, and whether healthcare saves lives. Yet its flaws cut deep. Artificial intelligence-driven hiring tools exclude women at alarming rates. Healthcare diagnostics also miss women’s symptoms, risking tragedy further emphasizing the need for diversity in the teams designing these tools. These are not glitches; they reflect a stark truth—women hold only 22% of AI talent globally and this number shrinks further at senior levels, with women only occupying less than 14% of senior executive roles in AI. Without women at the table, artificial intelligence does not just stumble—it betrays half the world. Cities, where ideas turn to action, can rewrite this narrative.
Subnational diplomacy fuels this power. Cities are taking on big challenges such as climate change and are taking action that sometimes outpaces their national counterparts. As Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff, I represent New York City’s voice to global policy discussions and networks, including at the United Nations and Urban 20, shaping policies for those artificial intelligence touches every day. Cities are agile, practical, and deeply connected to the needs of their communities. That is why they are at the forefront of designing AI policies that prioritize fairness, transparency, and accountability.
New York meets this challenge head-on. Our Artificial Intelligence Action Plan ensures that AI is deployed responsibly and equitably. But AI governance is just one part of a broader commitment to equity. Through NYC Women Forward, we are expanding opportunities for women in leadership and the workforce, while our newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UN Women underscores our city’s role in advancing gender equity on a global scale. These efforts recognize a fundamental truth: When policies are designed inclusively, they produce better outcomes for everyone.
We are not alone in this work. Cities around the world are showing that subnational leadership can drive systemic change. Freetown, under Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has prioritized gender-inclusive governance, ensuring that women have a voice in economic and political decision-making. Barcelona, a leader in digital rights, has built AI policies that center transparency and public accountability, ensuring that emerging technologies serve people.
There is a stark difference between cities that are getting this right and systems that are falling behind. When AI policies are developed without transparency, they erode public trust. When decision-making spaces exclude women and other marginalized voices, policies fail to reflect the needs of those they impact most. When technology is treated as an isolated issue rather than a governance challenge, societies become reactive instead of proactive in addressing its risks and opportunities.
The good news is that cities are demonstrating a different way forward. By embedding equity into AI governance, by ensuring women’s leadership in decision-making, and by leveraging international partnerships to set high standards, we are shaping a future where technology serves all communities, not just a privileged few.
During Women’s History Month, the message is clear: The governance of AI, diplomacy, and global policy must be inclusive. Cities are already leading the way. Now, it’s time for the rest of the world to do the same.
