ILO Study Finds 56% of Women Entrepreneurs Use Generative AI

According to recent research by the International Labour Organization (ILO), 56% of women entrepreneurs use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in business activities. The study was conducted within the framework of the Women in Digital Business project and included nearly 18,000 women entrepreneurs who mostly operate in Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt. It turned out that the provision of writing help, research, and content creation were the most common areas of the use of this technology.

A growing number of women entrepreneurs are incorporating GenAI into their business activities, but unequal access to digital infrastructure and skills continues to influence the pace of adoption. The findings indicate a great disparity between women who have the digital skills needed and those who lack accessibility to technology. 65% of respondents with the ability to work independently indicated their use of the AI technology, while 24% of those who were unable to use such technology indicated its use.

Key Highlights:

• 56% of women entrepreneurs surveyed by the ILO reported using GenAI in their businesses
• Digital skills, affordable internet and family support influence women's AI adoption
• ILO calls for inclusive AI policies, practical training and stronger digital access for women

Internet affordability was another critical aspect influencing the use of GenAI among women since 64% of women with affordable internet connectivity had used the technology, compared to about 30% of those facing great difficulties in paying for internet services. Even though the findings show the increased use of AI by women, it is clear that adoption of the technology has been mainly in relatively easy business functions. Family support, family duties, and internet security issues were found to be other aspects that have significance in relation to how women entrepreneurs interact with generative AI.

As stated by ILO, women entrepreneurs with more family and community support in using digital technologies were also more likely to use GenAI. Nonetheless, the uneven allocation of the care burden became an obstacle to dedicating themselves to learning and exploring their business potential via AI technology.

In this respect, the ILO recommends a more comprehensive strategy for promoting the application of GenAI among women-owned businesses. This would involve incorporating AI technology in existing entrepreneurship development frameworks, offering more targeted assistance in terms of both practical and business-related help, as well as redressing existing gender imbalances that prevent women from going online.

According to the ILO, ensuring equal participation in the new AI economy will be contingent on overcoming the structural obstacles that are currently preventing women from participating in the digital sphere. If nothing changes regarding connectivity, skills, and entrepreneurship support, the benefits of GenAI may perpetuate the inequalities that already exist in today’s digital economy, instead of expanding the opportunities available to women.

Indeed, the results imply that policies should take a comprehensive approach that involves the provision of cheap Internet connectivity and digital literacy in addition to protection against online harassment and training in entrepreneurship. These policies would ensure the inclusiveness of the digital economy and contribute to women’s participation in the changed labor market, particularly small-scale or informal entrepreneurs.