AI’s ‘boys’ club’ could widen the wealth gap for women, says Rana el Kaliouby

AI investor and entrepreneur Rana el Kaliouby warned at SXSW that the AI industry risks becoming a 'boys' club,' with women being excluded from founding companies, securing funding, and investing in AI funds. She argues this exclusion could dramatically widen the economic gap between men and women over the next decade. El Kaliouby, co-founder of Blue Tulip Ventures, noted that three-quarters of her firm's investments are in startups with women CEOs. Her comments come amid the Trump administration's rollback of DEI programs, which has influenced both hiring practices and AI model development across the tech industry.