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As artificial intelligence reshapes the global economy, the question isn’t whether women will be affected—it’s whether they’ll have agency in determining how. The AI gender gap is ultimately about power: who gets to define the problems AI solves, who benefits from its capabilities, and who bears the costs of its disruptions.
From The AI Gender Trap: Why Women Face Triple the Automation Risk in the Digital Age, United Nations University Campus Computing Center, May 2025
The quote above is the best summary of my learning about AI and leading webinars to motivate women to make AI an asset in their careers. The article by the United Nations University Campus Computing Center (UNU) clarifies the gaps and offers constructive solutions to the risks women and other groups face globally with AI.
In the U.S., the urgency for women to elevate their agency in the AI rollout requires looking beyond technology training and acknowledging bias in employment and advancement. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecasted unemployment related to AI up to peaks of 8%-10%. However, other voices, such as Dario Amodei and others, have predicted AI-related unemployment levels of up to 10 – 20%. The problem is that there is little discussion or validation of the net impact of AI on total unemployment. We cannot make progress without sound research and examination of risks and opportunities.
Predictions of total unemployment levels of 8 – 10% within 1-5 years or more for any duration dramatically impact national economic health. This article aims to encourage everyone, especially women and other impacted groups, to understand and act to mitigate the risks of AI for themselves, their communities, and the nation.
What I like about the UNU article is the clarity of their findings, the use of language for everyone, and forward-looking recommendations to reduce risks. The core findings of the research are that women are three times more likely to experience employment risk than men. The heavy concentration of women in entry-level clerical, administrative, and supervisory work will impact millions of workers.
As a business strategist and implementation adviser, I agree with the recommendation of the UN University that the path forward is to shift from basic upskilling and job descriptions for people and agents to innovation opportunities. Women in front-line service know their customers and human processes for problem-solving. Their deep insights offer opportunities for new products, services, and service delivery. Women need to create new career paths that leap beyond administration and clerical roles to fully utilize their inherent talents and relevant education for evolving economies.
AI education for women and everyone with inherent service capabilities should draw out their insights that lead to new or improved products, services, and understanding of emerging markets. Women need a learning environment that also rewards demonstrated high performance and leadership, not layoffs.
I will close this article with questions. What if the shift to AI expanded the thinking of a wide range of people beyond use cases to explore the future value of AI? Could we create many more opportunities that benefit people, businesses, and the planet?
Darlene Crane is a business growth consultant and implementation advisor with a multi-disciplinary background in finance, product development, information, and social sciences.
