Posted by 
With artificial intelligence (AI) poised to reshape work and the global workforce, a troubling pattern has emerged: a significant gender gap in the adoption and usage of AI. This disparity not only reflects existing inequalities but also threatens to exacerbate them, potentially impacting the future of knowledge work in ways that could set back progress on gender equality for generations. Addressing this imbalance is not just a matter of fairness—it’s an economic imperative that will determine the competitiveness of nations, the public perception of emerging technologies and the inclusivity of our technological future.
Survey says
Recently published data from the 2024 3M State of Science Insights survey, conducted with 10,000 respondents across ten countries in four continents, reveals this vast gap in AI adoption across gender.
The data shows disparity in AI usage across regions as well. Globally one in two are integrating AI at work with China, Brazil and Mexico leading in AI usage while Japan reported the highest percentage of those not using it at all. France is closer to the global average of 25% for those not using AI while US, UK, Canada and Germany are above the global average.
As reported in many other surveys there is agreement across the countries that AI needs to be heavily regulated, with the global average at 77%. China and South Korea in fact lead with 90% and 84% respectively.
However, the data indicates that the concern is not deterring the use of AI at work in these countries.
Gender Gap in AI usage
The overall leaders in AI usage, China, Brazil and Mexico, also have fairly comparable male and female responses. Except for China, across all other countries a higher percentage of female respondents report not using AI at all at work. US, UK, Germany and France have the largest differences between genders.
Many believe that the gender gap in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) is directly translating to a gender gap in AI adoption and usage, especially in Western democratic societies where there are seemingly no centralized forces driving the use of AI.
The Far-Reaching Consequences of Inaction
The implications of this gender disparity in AI usage extend far beyond the immediate workplace. If left unaddressed, this gap could lead to economic stagnation since women represent half of the world’s potential workforce. Countries and companies that fail to harness the full spectrum of talent will likely fall behind in the global economy.
Moreover, AI systems are only as unbiased as the data and perspectives that inform their development. With fewer women involved in AI usage and development, there’s a risk of perpetuating and even amplifying existing gender biases in technology and in society at large.
As AI becomes increasingly integral to various professions, a gender disparity in AI skills could translate into a widening gap in career opportunities and earning potential, further exacerbating economic inequality. By not fully engaging women in AI, we’re missing out on diverse perspectives that could lead to more comprehensive, innovative and effective AI solutions for global challenges.
The current disparity could discourage future generations of women from pursuing careers in AI and related STEM fields, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of underrepresentation.
Call to Action
The 3M State of Science survey findings serve as a wake-up call for leaders in both the public and private sectors, especially in the West. The future of global competitiveness may well hinge on the ability to close these gaps. Many strategies have been proposed. Most include:
- Education: Investing in AI literacy as well as upskilling programs, targeting both the general workforce and specifically underrepresented groups. Women are more likely to report lower confidence and need for training for use of AI tools.
- Encouragement: Creating incentives for businesses to adopt AI technologies and promote diverse AI teams. The AI ecosystem itself lacks balanced gender representation where women constitute a small percentage of AI professionals.
- Empowerment: Developing policies that support equal access to AI tools and training, with a particular focus on empowering women in tech. Societal norms and expectations can influence women’s comfort with new technology. Moreover, media headlines have led to an overarching narrative regarding the many risks and negative impact, and this can promote hesitance.
- Ethics: Establishing and communicating ethical principles and guidelines for governance of AI. Women may be more skeptical about the fairness and consistency of AI and skepticism can hinder adoption. Assurance about data sources and guardrails related to use can help to instill more trust. Governance can help to create a culture of accountability.
Improving public perception and encouraging adoption: a focus on problems to solve
The survey data also reveals that globally almost seven out of ten agree that AI is a tool for problem solving. Given that, there is an opportunity to shape the societal perception of AI by gearing it towards the problems that need to be solved and the jobs that can help with that. In fact, probing into public perception of companies that are using AI to innovate to improve daily lives, shows an increase in positive public response to such companies.
Multi-year 3M research of public perception of science provides further context on what the public perceives as important problems to be solved. It is no surprise they relate to human health and the health of the planet. AI can play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges.
Moreover, research has shown that women and those who are underrepresented in STEM often have communal goals that relate to solving world’s biggest challenges or making a difference. This provides a unique opportunity to attract more women towards AI education, adoption and usage. It can be a win-win.
We must act now, with urgency and purpose: The gender gap in AI usage is not just a women’s issue—it’s a societal challenge that affects us all. With half of the world’s brain power being female, we cannot afford to let this disparity persist. It will have a lasting impact on innovation, productivity, and ultimately, the very future of knowledge work.
Every stakeholder, from government leaders to corporate executives, educators to individual users, has a role to play in ensuring that the AI revolution is an inclusive one.
About the author:
Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist at 3M and holds 80 patents for a variety of innovations over her 30-year career. She was appointed 3M’s first ever Chief Science Advocate in 2018. She is a recipient of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) highest Achievement Award and author of two books published by SWE.