AI is quickly becoming integrated into our daily lives offering productivity solutions at work, new ways to learn and it is even transforming the way we communicate across the globe.
But according to new research first reported by The Wall Street Journal, not everyone is benefiting equally. Researchers from the Haas School of Business, reviewed data from 18 studies covering more than 140,000 people worldwide and found a gender gap holds across nearly every region, sector and job type. In 12 of those studies, women were 22% less likely than men to use generative AI tools.
That divide has real implications for workplace productivity, access to opportunities and even shaping the future of how AI works. However, as a woman who studies and tests AI for a living, here’s why I believe the gap could close quickly over the next few years.
A surprising divide in AI use
While the excitement over AI may feel like a universal trend, men are driving much of the early adoption. So what could explain the difference? Within the aforementioned study, researchers and analysts point to a mix of social, cultural and workplace factors such as the following:
- Workplace exposure: Men are more likely to work in tech-heavy roles where AI experimentation is encouraged, making them early adopters almost by default.
- Trust and safety concerns: Surveys suggest women are more skeptical of AI, particularly around misinformation, bias, or privacy issues. That wariness can translate into lower use.
- Perception and awareness: AI apps have often been marketed toward tech-savvy “power users,” a demographic that skews male. For women, AI may still feel less approachable or relevant.
In the U.S., women hold only about 26–28% of computing and math jobs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In engineering, the share is even smaller; women make up less than 17% of engineers.
Globally, women account for roughly 20% of AI and data science roles, according to UNESCO and World Economic Forum reports.
Because men are more concentrated in jobs where AI is being actively tested, such as in positions including data science, IT and software engineering, they have greater exposure and incentive to experiment with generative AI tools. By contrast, women are more heavily represented in roles like healthcare, education and administrative support, where AI adoption has been slower or less encouraged.
This isn’t the first time a new technology has followed this pattern. Early adoption of personal computers and the internet was also heavily male before leveling out over time.
Here’s why I think the gap could close
While the numbers don’t like about the significant disparity, I don’t think it will last long because AI is quickly moving out of the niche tech space and into everyday life.
In other words, AI is not just reserved for the tech industry. Everyone from graphic designers and interior decorators are turning to AI to increase efficiency. Jobs like vibe coding can easily be done by anyone.
From word processors to smartphones, women have historically closed adoption gaps once a technology becomes more accessible, user-friendly and clearly beneficial. As AI features are built into tools we already use every day like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and smartphone apps, AI will become harder to ignore.
Why this matters for everyone
The AI gender gap has real-world consequences.
The AI gender gap has real-world consequences. If men are more likely to adopt AI first, they may gain productivity advantages at work, explore side hustles earlier or shape the kinds of prompts and use cases developers optimize for.
That could reinforce existing inequalities in pay, career advancement and representation in tech. Ensuring women engage with AI now helps create a more balanced future where the technology serves a broader range of voices and needs.
How women (and anyone) can start using AI
If you’ve been hesitant to try AI, here are some practical, low-stakes ways to start:
- Boost productivity at work. Ask ChatGPT or Gemini to draft emails, summarize long reports or create meeting agendas. Even small tasks can save significant time.
- Plan and organize your life. AI tools can help with meal planning, trip itineraries or even designing a workout schedule. All areas where women often take on the disproportionate “mental load.”
- Learn something new. Try using AI as a study partner for learning a language, brushing up on a new skill or exploring creative writing prompts.
- Test creative projects. Image and video generators are a fun entry point for experimenting without high stakes, whether you’re designing a party invite or storyboarding a small business idea.
Final thoughts
The gender gap is real, but not permanent. Yes, women are adopting AI at lower rates than men today, but as the technology becomes more mainstream, that divide is likely to shrink.
What matters now is making sure more people feel comfortable experimenting with AI and seeing its benefits in their own lives. The sooner women and other underrepresented groups engage with AI, the more influence they’ll have on shaping a future where the technology works for everyone.
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