Recent studies have shown that women use generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, less frequently than men. This phenomenon has garnered widespread attention, especially in the workplace. A survey by the University of Copenhagen and the University of Chicago involving 100,000 employees revealed a usage gap of up to 20 percentage points between men and women.
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Additionally, a global survey by Oliver Wyman showed that 59% of men aged 18 to 65 use AI tools at least once a week, compared to only 51% of women. The gap is even more significant among young people aged 18 to 24, with 71% of men and 59% of women using these tools frequently.
The study also revealed gender differences in AI-generated content. For instance, stories about men often feature words like "treasure," "forest," "ocean," and "adventure," while those about women more commonly include "garden," "love," "gentleness," and "husband." Descriptions of women in domestic roles are four times more frequent than those of men.
Regarding the reasons for these differences, many women reported needing more training to use ChatGPT. In contrast, men were more likely to refrain from using AI due to employer restrictions and concerns about data privacy. Experiments showed that when women learned about the efficiency-enhancing capabilities of generative AI, they expressed a greater willingness to use it and even adjusted their views on time savings.
The Oliver Wyman survey also found that 77% of employees want employer support when using AI, but interestingly, only 40% of managers believe such support is necessary. Therefore, researchers suggest that companies should provide comprehensive AI training during work hours, establish a shared vision related to AI, enhance the diversity of IT teams, and involve digital natives from Generation Z in relevant discussions.
The UNESCO also believes that action must be taken, calling for the implementation of the AI ethics guidelines passed in 2021, particularly to increase the participation of women and girls in STEM fields and support women in becoming AI entrepreneurs. Currently, only 20% of top AI companies' technical staff are women, 12% of AI researchers are female, and only 6% of software developers are women.
Key Points:
💡 Women use generative AI tools less frequently than men, with a gap of up to 20 percentage points.
📊 Women generally feel they need more training, while men are influenced by employer restrictions and data privacy concerns.
🤝 Research suggests companies should provide comprehensive training, enhance diversity, and involve young people in AI discussions.