AI and the Gender Job Gap: Why Automation Isn’t Equal?
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global workforce—but its effects aren’t being felt equally. As businesses rapidly adopt AI to streamline operations, a growing concern has emerged: women’s jobs are more at risk than men’s.
The Uneven Impact of AI
According to the International Labour Organization, in high-income countries, 9.6% of jobs held by women are at high risk of AI-driven automation—nearly three times the share for men (3.5%). Globally, the disparity persists: 4.7% of women’s jobs are vulnerable, compared to 2.4% for men.
Why the gap? Job concentration is key. Women are overrepresented in administrative roles—bookkeeping, office support, clerical work—jobs that are prime targets for automation. Roughly 70% of office admin roles are held by women.
Beyond Clerical Work
It doesn't stop with administration. In industries like media, finance, and education, women are also more likely to occupy roles vulnerable to disruption rather than those benefiting from AI augmentation.
A recent analysis found that 79% of working women are employed in jobs susceptible to AI impact. In healthcare and education—fields with strong female participation—76% and 73% of roles, respectively, are exposed to task-level changes from AI.
The Tech Skills Gap
The structural challenge deepens when we look at AI participation itself. Women make up only 29% of the AI-skilled workforce, with fewer opportunities to retrain. Just 35% of women report being offered AI upskilling at work, compared to 41% of men.
Without access to training and participation in shaping these tools, women risk being left behind in the very revolution AI promises.
Building an Inclusive AI Economy
At Dectec, we believe the AI revolution should be personal, equitable, and empowering. Closing the gender AI gap requires:
Targeted Reskilling: Mentorship, coding bootcamps, and education programs tailored to women.
Inclusive Tech Development: Diverse teams lead to more inclusive systems and decisions.
Policy Interventions: Employers and governments must invest in accessible, flexible, and equitable learning opportunities.
Final Thought
AI is the future of work. But unless we design that future intentionally, it won’t be inclusive by default. Let’s ensure that AI empowers everyone—regardless of gender—to thrive in the next era of opportunity.
Sources: ILO, World Economic Forum, Forbes , WomenTech, CBRE, and more.
