Gender Equity and Generative AI: The Great Equalizer—or a New Great Divide?

Generative AI is a shiny, new addition to a professional’s toolbox. But it doesn’t come with a clear instruction manual. This gives early adopters a chance to shine, as employees who use generative AI to create business value could open the door to lucrative new career paths.

Men see this potential and are jumping at the opportunity, but women are lagging behind. Our research shows that three-quarters of all professionals say men are adopting generative AI faster than women—and 70% say men are seeing greater benefits. Men are also more likely than women to say generative AI will improve their productivity at work.

This trend is particularly troubling, given that generative AI is having the greatest impact on women’s work. Our respondents report that marketing and customer service functions are staffed predominantly by women at their organizations—and that customer service, sales, marketing are top three areas where generative AI is being used today.

If left unchecked, generative AI could easily become something that “happens to” women, while men use it leap even farther ahead.

• Men in leadership must do more to empower women to use AI in ways that will advance their careers, or they risk allowing gender inequality to become even more entrenched on their watch.
• Men see generative AI as a way to gain a competitive advantage and increase their pay. Most women are focused on using generative AI to increase their job security.
• Women are waiting for permission to embrace generative AI, which is holding them back, just at the time when this new technology can help them most.