AI is replacing more of women’s jobs. Can we build inclusive workplaces?

• Artificial intelligence (AI) poses a disproportionate risk to women's employment compared to men's.
• Women are nearly twice as likely to work in jobs at high risk of automation, affecting approximately 65 million jobs versus 51 million for men.
• Systemic gender biases in AI development and existing digital divides are exacerbating these inequalities.

The Automation Gap

• The Gender Snapshot 2025 report indicates 4.7 percent of female jobs are at high risk of automation, compared to 2.4 percent of male jobs.
• In high-income countries like Australia and New Zealand, the disparity is starker, with 9.6 percent of women's jobs at risk versus 3.5 percent for men.
• Administrative and office roles, which are female-dominated, are most exposed to disruption.

Algorithmic and Structural Bias

• AI frameworks are often built on data reflecting societal prejudices, leading to reinforced gender stereotypes.
• A 2024 UN report demonstrated AI models automatically assigning gendered roles (e.g., doctor as male, nurse as female).
• Research from 2018 showed STEM job advertisements were shown significantly more often to men than women, even when advertisers intended equal exposure.

Towards an Inclusive AI Economy

• Increasing female representation in STEM leadership is vital; women currently account for only 22 percent of AI professionals and 28 percent of the global STEM workforce.
• Addressing the digital divide is critical, particularly in the Global South, where limited internet and smartphone access prevents women from competing on a level playing field.
• Proactive investment in digital literacy and professional training for women is essential to ensure they are not excluded from the evolving AI-driven job market.