Women, data and tech: why neutral technology is an illusion

In the latest episode of the JADS podcast Data Dates, we welcome Anne-Karlijn van Kesteren, curator at Design Museum Den Bosch.

The museum is currently hosting the exhibition Women as Technology, curated by Van Kesteren. The exhibition shows how technology is never neutral, but always reflects the ideas and power structures of its time. Through more than 200 objects – from historical looms and kitchens to pole-dancing robots and AI assistants – visitors are confronted with the question: who designs what, for whom, and with what purpose? For Van Kesteren, the driving force comes from a personal observation: “The world around us has not always been designed for us as women. Certain images and stereotypes of women keep resurfacing in technology, often without us realizing it.” She points out, for example, that even the height and layout of modern kitchens are still based on outdated ideas of women as the “workers” in their own homes.

Women as computers

Van Kesteren also highlights the history of women as “computers,” when calculation work was considered repetitive and of low value. “Before computers were machines, they were women,” she says. “The first programming languages were written by women, but those stories remained invisible for a long time.” As computers became more important to business and government, the field gained status, men took over, and women were gradually pushed into the background.

Service and subservience

These blind spots continue in today’s technology. Think of AI assistants like Siri and Alexa with default female voices, or sex robots that glorify subservience. “Many technologies have a limited and stereotypical image of women built into them. It may seem harmless, but it shapes how we interact and what we consider normal,” she explains.

Representation

On September 25, Van Kesteren will lead a breakout session at Ladies of Data at JADS, where she will further explore these themes. This year’s event is themed GenAI – beyond the hype. According to her, representation is crucial in this discussion: “If more women were in control, technology would be far more inclusive and user-friendly. It’s about making sure the diversity of our society is reflected in the systems we build.”

Find out more

• The exhibition Women as Technology is on view at Design Museum Den Bosch until October 26.
• Tickets for Ladies of Data on September 25 are still available.
• Listen to the full episode of Data Dates here (Dutch)