Women to outnumber men in Gen AI use by 2025, research predicts

The gender dynamics of artificial intelligence adoption are shifting rapidly, with new research indicating women are quickly catching up to men in their use of generative AI tools, despite historically lower adoption rates and trust levels.

Current adoption landscape: Women’s use of generative AI has seen a dramatic increase from 11% to 33% in the past year, though still trailing behind men’s adoption rate of 44%.

• The rate of women experimenting with generative AI has tripled year-over-year, outpacing the growth rate among male users
• Only 34% of women report daily use of generative AI, compared to 43% of men
• In professional settings, 41% of women believe generative AI significantly improves their productivity, while 61% of men share this view

Trust and security concerns: Women’s hesitancy toward generative AI adoption stems from legitimate data security and privacy considerations.

• Only 18% of women trust AI companies with their data, compared to 31% of men
• Women show particular caution regarding AI use for sensitive topics like health, personal finance, and relationships
• Concerns about data breaches and potential misuse of personal information, including menstrual cycle data and images, contribute to women’s wariness

Technology sector differences: The gender gap in AI adoption nearly disappears within the technology industry, revealing a distinct pattern.

• Female tech workers show a 70% adoption rate compared to 78% for male counterparts
• Women in tech actually use generative AI for tasks more frequently than men (44% vs 33%)
• The trust gap between men and women is notably absent among technology sector employees

Market implications: Women’s slower adoption of AI-enabled devices could impact the consumer technology market significantly.

• Women influence approximately 85% of consumer spending decisions
• Female consumers show less interest in upgrading devices specifically for AI features
• This purchasing behavior could present challenges for technology companies marketing AI-enhanced products

Addressing the gap: The research highlights several key areas for improving gender parity in AI adoption.

• Companies need to strengthen and clearly communicate data security policies
• Increasing female representation in AI development roles could help reduce bias
• Enhanced workplace training programs could support more equitable adoption rates

Future trajectory: Despite current disparities, women are projected to match or exceed men’s generative AI usage by the end of 2025 in the US and shortly after in Europe, marking a significant shift in the technology’s demographic landscape.