AI's got a gender gap: Women are more skeptical

A recent survey highlights a notable gender disparity in attitudes toward artificial intelligence, revealing that men are generally more enthusiastic about the technology compared to their female counterparts. According to CNBC's 5th annual SurveyMonkey Women at Work survey, 69% of male respondents described AI as a "valuable assistant and collaborator," whereas only 61% of women shared this sentiment. The survey, conducted between February 10 and February 16 with over 6,300 participants, shows that many women harbor skepticism towards AI, with half of the female respondents expressing doubts and suggesting that using AI in the workplace feels akin to cheating. In contrast, only 43% of men echoed this concern. Since the explosive growth of generative AI technologies following the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT, AI tools have proliferated across various sectors. Wall Street investors are optimistic about AI's potential to transform enterprise software, which has led to significant fluctuations in software stock values over the past year. In terms of usage, men appear to be more engaged with AI in their jobs. Approximately 64% of women indicated that they never utilize AI at work, compared to 55% of men. Among frequent users of AI, 14% of men reported using it multiple times daily, while only 9% of women claimed the same. This topic has become increasingly relevant among corporate leaders. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, emphasized AI's importance for future success during the bank's 2026 investor day, noting that nearly two-thirds of the company is utilizing an internal large language model. Dimon acknowledged that AI might lead to job losses, suggesting that retraining employees is essential. Interestingly, while men are more likely to adopt AI, they also express a desire for further training. About 59% of men stated they require more instruction on AI usage at work, and 39% fear they might miss opportunities by not engaging with AI, compared to 35% of women who shared this concern. Additionally, 42% of women firmly disagreed with the notion that failing to embrace AI would hinder their career progress, while this view was held by 36% of men. The implications of this gender gap in AI training are significant. Sheryl Sandberg, founder of LeanIn.Org, raised concerns that if women do not engage with AI technologies at a similar rate as men, it could exacerbate existing gender disparities in the workplace. She warned that those unfamiliar with these tools may face greater challenges in securing promotions and advancing their careers, potentially leading to wider economic repercussions for organizations and society as a whole.