Since the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), women have faced more significant consequences than men. Cyber harassment, sexually explicit deepfakes, and AI-fueled redundancy at work are among these impacts.
The gender gap in AI trust has widened as women are more skeptical of new technology compared to their male counterparts. According to a study conducted by Harvard Business School in 2025, AI tool adoption rates are 25% lower among women globally, with only one out of four AI professionals being female.
A recent survey from Northeastern University in Boston highlights the growing wariness of women towards AI. The research surveyed around 3000 Americans and Canadians. According to findings published in the journal PNAS Nexus, two key factors—risk exposure and tolerance—are responsible for different responses between genders. Women are 11% more likely than men to believe that the risks associated with AI outweigh its benefits.
However, when outcomes are certain and guaranteed, this gender gap in support for AI disappears. Professor Beatrice Magistro of Northeastern University noted, “When women are assured about employment effects, the disparity in AI trust between genders vanishes.”
Additionally, women’s mistrust in AI stems from economic risks linked to AI-fueled workplace displacement. Women are more exposed to AI across both high-complementary roles that could benefit from AI and high-substitution roles at risk of being displaced.
To address this growing skepticism among women, the researchers have called for robust regulations. These should include shielding women from AI bias and deepfakes, as well as implementing stronger protections against job displacement, providing compensations, and ensuring transparency in AI governance.