This example highlights how prompting shapes the procurement of personal protective equipment in the Fire and Emergency Services sector. It demonstrates the move from standardised, compliance-driven design to equipment that is inclusive, fit-for-purpose and safe for all users. The example underscores how equity by design can directly impact safety and performance.
Task
Outline tender requirements for the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)/Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) in the Fire and Emergency sector.
Outcomes
Each task is completed three ways: with no prompt (default, often outdated), with a broad gender equality prompt: i.e. ‘apply a gender equality lens to this task’ (surface-level inclusion), and with the Inclusive AI Prompt (embedding inclusive gender equality by design). The responses are presented exactly as generated, highlighting how prompting can reinforce inequality or open minds and ideas to practical, future-focused and inclusive outcomes across procurement, communications, policy and strategy.
No specific prompt
A default, business-as-usual approach focused on efficiency and compliance, with no consideration of gender or equity.
Prompt outcome:
- PPE must meet national safety standards and certifications.
- Materials must be flame-resistant, durable, and weatherproof.
- Bulk production required to meet supply needs.
- Uniform design to be standardised across all staff for cost efficiency.
- Supplier must demonstrate ability to deliver on time and within budget.
Broad gender equality prompt
Prompting using a basic fairness lens that acknowledges gender differences and avoids obvious bias, but treats equality as a box to tick rather than a design principle.
Prompt outcome:
- All personal protective equipment will meet national safety standards and be manufactured to high specifications.
- To ensure gender equality, the uniforms will be available in a range of sizes suitable for both women and men. This includes appropriate adjustments to fit different body shapes, ensuring safety and comfort for all staff.
- Suppliers will be required to provide evidence that their products are designed for both male and female firefighters.
- The procurement process will emphasise inclusivity while maintaining cost efficiency and timely delivery.
Inclusive AI Prompt
An equity-by-design approach to prompting that embeds inclusion, safety, and accountability as foundational standards, using the Inclusive AI Prompt as a starting point.
Prompt outcome:
- Equipment must not only comply with national safety standards but also ensure cultural, psychological, and physical safety.
- Design must protect without compromise, accounting for women, men, and people of all genders.
- Suppliers must demonstrate consultation with diverse firefighters and emergency staff (including women, First Nations people, and those with different body types and abilities) during design and testing.
- Equipment must fit all wearers equitably, avoiding “shrink it and pink it” models. Sizes, shapes and ergonomics must reflect the actual workforce, not a male-default.
- Supplier must track and report on safety, inclusion, and equitable use of PPE across the workforce
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- Firefighters must have the ability to choose appropriate PPE options that support their role, rather than being restricted to ill-fitting or unsafe standard issue.
- PPE must be available in a wide range of sizes and adjustable fits. Procurement must include options for maternity, smaller/larger body types, and adaptive needs without penalty or delay.
- Design should actively challenge outdated assumptions by showcasing inclusive imagery in product guides and ensuring women’s and men’s gear is equally resourced.
- Tender must require investment in equity – ensuring supplier R&D addresses historical underinvestment in PPE for women and marginalised groups. Reporting on equity outcomes is mandatory
Key shifts
From
- Safety framed only in technical compliance.
- “Standardised” design ignores body shapes, sizes and genders.
- Procurement prioritises cost efficiency and scale.
- Limited acknowledgement of diverse user needs.
- Procurement framed in transactional, compliance-driven language.
- Gear described generically, reflecting male default.
- Equity considerations invisible in tender process.
To
- Safety framed as cultural, psychological and physical.
- PPE designed through consultation with diverse staff.
- Procurement embeds equity, fit and dignity by design.
- Suppliers required to invest in inclusive R&D and report equity outcomes.
- Procurement framed as life-saving equity by design.
- Gear described as inclusive, respectful and representative.
- Equity positioned as central to safety and credibility
Inclusive AI Prompt
Note: This example shows the outcome of a first application of the Inclusive AI Prompt and is provided for illustrative purposes only. It is not the complete answer to the task, but a starting point for further exploration, refinement and human judgement.
When reviewing the output, ask yourself:
- Would I really have thought about it that way and to that level or detail?
- How has this given me new insight into how I could complete the task in a more inclusive way?
- How can I delve deeper with prompting to further improve the outcome?
Next steps
Take action to help build a fairer, more inclusive future.
Ensure equality and inclusion are built into outputs from AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude or Copilot.
Start taking action with practical approaches and examples from Champions of Change.