Workplace AI Usage Reveals 25% Lower Adoption Rate Among Women Compared to Men

• Survey highlights gender disparity in AI integration across professional settings
• Women face higher automation risk but are 25% less likely to use AI than men
• Across 18 global surveys, 50% men adopted generative AI in 2023-2024, compared to just 33% women

Research indicates that women are disproportionately represented in roles at higher risk of AI-driven displacement, yet are 25% less likely than men to adopt AI tools in the workplace. The UN reports that AI poses a greater automation risk to occupations predominantly held by women, particularly in clerical and administrative functions.

The likelihood of automation in female-majority roles stands at 9.6%, nearly triple the 3.5% risk in male-dominated sectors. Across the board, AI could affect 25% of jobs, with the figure climbing to 34% in advanced economies.

An analysis of 18 survey across the U.S., Sweden, China, and other countries, covering over 140,000 college students and professionals, found that approximately 50% of men used generative AI in 2023-2024, compared to just one-third of women. Across most data sets, female adoption rates lagged 10% to 40% behind those of men. Study lead Rembrandt Koning of Harvard Business School estimates that average gender gap at 25%.

Rembrandt’s team provided 17,000 Kenyan men and women with AI exposure and usage education. Yet, results showed that access alone was insufficient, women remained 13% less likely to adopt ChatGPT compared to men, underscoring deeper behavioural or systemic barriers.

'Despite the equal opportunity to use ChatGPT, women were less likely to use the tool. This is quite shocking. If women continue to shy away from generative AI, companies could miss out on significant productivity gains and women could fall behind in acquiring valuable skills they need to succeed. It's important to create an environment where everyone can try AI and feel they won't be criticized for using it,' said Rembrandt.