07/15/2025

Women are Slower to Adopt AI at Work

Here is why

As a leader in technology for nearly 30 years, I have observed waves of innovation disrupt the global business landscape and trigger major shifts in the way we work. Now, as artificial intelligence (AI) takes its place as the next big thing, the global workforce is facing an overwhelming demand for new skills and capabilities.

In my new book, Artificial Intelligence For Business, I highlight the impact of AI on the future of work, specifically the skills gaps and job displacements, as well as future essential skills required in global organizations. Interestingly, there is a cautious instinct at play, specifically for women at work, as they weigh the promise of innovation with the risks of AI application. This hesitation may be deterring women from using AI at work, as worries about embracing AI could undermine their credibility or even invite harsher judgement, instead of highlighting their true potential.

According to recent research conducted by Harvard Business School Associate Professor Rembrand Koning, women are adopting AI tools at a 25 percent lower rate than men, on average. Synthesizing data from 18 studies that cover over 140,000 individuals worldwide, combined with estimates of the gender share of the hundreds of millions of users of popular generative AI platforms, the research demonstrates the gender gap holds across all regions, sectors, and occupations.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.