Smriti Irani Warns of Gender Bias in Global Health Data at WEF 2026

At the 2026 World Economic Forum, Smriti Irani, former Union minister and founder of the Alliance for Global Good, highlighted a critical issue in healthcare data: the significant underrepresentation of women. She pointed out that nearly 70% of global health data fails to adequately reflect women's health needs, which could lead to biased AI algorithms and poor health outcomes.

Key Developments

• Irani emphasized the need for healthcare innovation to be evidence-based, ethical, and inclusive, warning that biased data could ignore the physiological realities of half the population.
• During her session titled “Intelligence for Inclusion: Transforming Women’s Health through AI,” she called for a shift in how health data is collected and utilized, stressing that the future of healthcare must prioritize inclusivity.
• The discussion also touched on the broader implications of corporate structures in the biotechnology sector, which is currently valued at a trillion dollars and is pivotal in transforming disease treatment and climate response.

Business Impact Irani's remarks underscore a pressing need for the tech and medical communities to reassess their data practices. By addressing the gender gap in health data, companies can improve their AI solutions and ultimately enhance health outcomes for women.

Market Context The conversation around AI in healthcare is gaining traction, especially as investors and stakeholders look for ethical and inclusive practices in technology. This focus could influence future investments in health tech companies that prioritize gender inclusivity in their data.

Industry Context The biotechnology industry is at a crossroads, with significant potential for growth. However, the current underrepresentation of women in health data poses a risk to the effectiveness of AI solutions being developed. Addressing this gap is crucial for the industry's credibility and success.

Looking Ahead As the dialogue continues, it’ll be interesting to see how companies adapt their data strategies to ensure inclusivity and improve health outcomes for women.