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.
