Women risk being 'left behind' as AI advances, report warns

LONDON

Women face a disproportionate risk of job loss from artificial intelligence (AI) and are 20% less likely than men to engage with generative AI tools, according to a recent study.

Women are being warned that they could "get left behind" by advancements in technology after a study revealed they are twice as likely to hold jobs under threat from AI, the Independent newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The findings showed that roles defined as "female-dominated," such as administration, bookkeeping, cashiering, and office staff, are more vulnerable to job loss as a result of automation.

The study revealed that women were also found to be 20% less likely to engage with generative AI tools than men, making them less likely to work in AI-reliant roles.

According to the recently conducted AI Gender Gap report by consulting firm Credera, only 22% of the people in the global AI talent pool are women.

Supermums, a social enterprise dedicated to assisting women in entering the technology field, is now warning that these findings show "a real risk of women getting left behind" as technology advances, according to the report.

Heather Black, founder of Supermums, said mothers in particular face being "the ones paying the price in the rise of AI."

"Essentially, women, and especially mums, are going to be the ones paying the price in the rise of AI," Black was quoted by the Independent as saying.

She added: "AI is here to stay, whether we personally use it or not, so learning how it works and how to make the most of it is key."