‘My boss keeps inviting me over, is this sexual harassment?’: Women battling  discrimination in the workplace create AI chatbot which allows you to ask whether behaviour is inappropriate

Two women created an AI chatbot to allow individuals in the workplace to easily find out if they are victims of sexual harassment.

This pioneering tool, which aims to help victims anonymously report both discrimination and racism as well as sexual harassment, allows individuals to ask an AI bot personal questions for it to assess and answer.

Workers, who have been trained in UK equality law, can ask questions such as: “My boss keeps asking me to have dinner with him and caressing my arm.” I've said no several times and it makes me anxious. Is this sexual harassment?

The tool is part of an app called SaferSpace, founded by PR expert Ruth Sparks and entrepreneur Sunita Gordon.

“We wanted to create something that not only gave victims a voice, but also helped organizations create safer environments,” Ruth explained. The application is designed to be used by companies and universities.

In the United Kingdom, 58% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, and on university campuses, 68% of students have experienced harassment. But 79% of victims do not report it. “The terrifying statistics and personal stories motivated us to create this tool,” Ruth said. “We desperately need safer environments.”

The tool differentiates itself in several ways. First, it supports anonymity, an important feature that enables users to report an incident without fear of backlash.

Its founders say this aspect is particularly vital in hierarchical organizations, where power imbalances can discourage people from complaining.

“We need to encourage reporting more widely,” Ruth explained. “Many victims lack information about how to report an incident, fear they will not be taken seriously, or find the whole reporting process too intimidating.

“The most common reason people don't report is because they don't know if what they've experienced actually warrants a complaint.

“So, we built an AI-powered chatbot, trained on UK legislation so users could ask questions before making a complaint. We were careful not to overburden HR departments.

An example question could be: “I saw a lecturer speaking to a group of black students, and he referred to them as ‘you people.’ Is this racism?”

The chatbot will respond: “No, that's not necessarily racism.” It could be considered a form of discrimination based on race, but without more context, it is impossible to determine whether or not this is the case.

Another question is: “Should I tell my boss if he keeps inviting me to his house?”

The AI ​​will answer: “It depends on the context and your comfort level.” If you feel uncomfortable or threatened, it is best to talk to your boss about how you feel and ask him to clarify his intentions.

“If the situation does not improve, you may want to consider reporting it.”

The third is: “Every time I walk into the cafeteria, a certain group of men keeps attacking me?” Is this sexual harassment?

Here the answer will be: “Yes, this could be considered sexual harassment.” Under section 26 of the Equality Act 2010, a person (a) harasses another person (b) if A engages in unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of violating B’s dignity or creating intimidating, offensive or insulting behaviour. or a humiliating or offensive environment for B.'

Fourth: Is it permissible for a trans woman to use the women’s restroom?

The AI ​​responds by saying, “Yes, trans women are allowed to use the women’s restroom.” Under section 9 of the Equality Act 2010, sex reassignment discrimination is Section 13 discrimination due to sex reassignment, and Section 19 discrimination where the relevant protected characteristic is sex reassignment.

Sunita explained that SaferSpace offers organizations actionable insights.

'It's not just a matter of filing a complaint; “It's about providing organizations with the data and tools they need to make real change,” she said.

She continued: 'By understanding the frequency and nature of issues, organizations can develop effective interventions. Many organizations have strong policies in place, but policies do not equal protection.'

Ruth added, “While developing SaferSpace, Sunita and I often reflected on our own experiences. It's a stark reminder that this isn't just a commercial endeavor for us; it's deeply personal.”

Both women believe this tool could be particularly vital in the wake of recent high-profile sexual harassment and misconduct cases including at Red Arrows, McDonald's, the Met Police, the NHS and others.

Earlier this year, the BBC launched an investigation into McDonald's with the participation of 200 employees, former and current, and brought charges of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying.

Now, a law firm has confirmed that a class action legal action has been taken in relation to allegations of assault and harassment.

Alistair McCraw, chief executive of McDonald's UK and Ireland, said the company was “determined to root out” behavior that fell below expected standards.

The President previously launched a program of independent investigations, a review of its complaints procedures, a review of its code of conduct, and a number of full disciplinary hearings.

Lawyers at Leigh Day said they are representing McDonald's employees who claim they are “almost routinely bullied and harassed” while at the fast food chain. This could lead to the first mass MeToo action in the UK.

Meanwhile, sixty women at the Ministry of Defense wrote a letter describing a “toxic” and hostile work environment – ​​with allegations of sexual assault and harassment from male co-workers.

The letter, marked “officially sensitive”, was submitted to MoD Permanent Secretary David Williams in October by a group of senior female civil servants and included anonymous accounts of mistreatment.

The group “Senior Civilian Women” describes the DoD's workplace culture as “hostile to women as equal and respected partners.”

Elsewhere, a government minister said the Red Arrows were being subjected to “special measures” after a report revealed that women were being consumed with alcohol, treated like property and subjected to sexual harassment.

Defense Minister Andrew Morrison told the Defense Committee on Tuesday that the display team had been “briefed”.

A report published in November found that a campaign of bullying, sexual harassment and predatory behavior was “widespread and normalised” at the squadron, with female staff forced to form groups known as “shark watches” to protect themselves at social events.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, offered his “unconditional apologies” after the report was released, and said he was “appalled” by its findings.

Furthermore, nearly a third of female surgeons in the NHS have been sexually assaulted by a colleague over the past five years, according to a survey.

The study is the largest of its kind ever conducted in the surgical profession, and was commissioned by the Independent Working Group on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery, The Times reported.

There were 11 cases of rape reported by surgeons who participated in the anonymous online survey, which received 1,436 responses.

Ninety percent of women and 81 percent of participating men reported witnessing sexual misconduct in the workplace.

More than 40% of women reported receiving “unwanted comments” about their bodies from colleagues, 29% claimed they had been subjected to unwanted physical harassment, and 38% said they had been subjected to sexual banter at work.

The research also claimed that sexual coercion is a “major concern” within the industry, with 11% of female surgeons claiming to have experienced “forced physical contact related to employment opportunities”.