Women Trust AI Less Than Men: Key Reasons Uncovered
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly evolves, its impacts are felt unequally across genders, with women facing more challenges than men. This disparity underscores the widening gender gap in trust towards AI technologies.
Consequences of AI on Women
Women encounter significant negative outcomes from AI, including cyber harassment, sexually explicit deepfakes, and AI-fueled redundancy in the workplace. These factors contribute to a growing skepticism among women regarding AI adoption.
Trust Gap in AI Adoption
Research from Harvard Business School in 2025 indicates that AI tool adoption rates among women are 25 percent lower than those of men. Furthermore, only one in four AI professionals globally are women, highlighting the underrepresentation of women in this field.
Insights from Northeastern University Study
A recent study conducted by Northeastern University surveyed approximately 3000 Americans and Canadians to explore the reasons behind women’s distrust of AI. Findings published in the journal PNAS Nexus reveal that risk exposure and tolerance related to AI significantly influence gendered responses.
Women are 11 percent more likely than men to feel that the risks associated with AI outweigh its benefits. However, the gender gap in trust diminishes when outcomes are guaranteed and definite.
Economic Risks and Workplace Displacement
Women also exhibit lower levels of trust in AI due to economic risks tied to potential job displacement. According to researchers, women face a higher exposure to AI in both high-complementarity roles that could benefit from AI and high-substitution roles susceptible to displacement. The uncertainty surrounding the long-term consequences of AI exacerbates these concerns.
Recommendations for Addressing Skepticism
To counteract this growing skepticism among women, researchers advocate for robust regulations to protect women from AI bias and deepfakes. Policymakers are urged to implement stronger protections against job displacement, offer compensation, and ensure transparency in AI governance.
Addressing these issues is essential for fostering greater trust in AI among women and creating a more equitable technological landscape.
