While much of the public debate around artificial intelligence (AI) focuses on potential threats to humanity in the future, urgent consequences are already unfolding today for women and girls, which is reinforcing existing inequalities.
New evidence shows that these inequalities are already reflected in women’s participation in the rapidly expanding AI economy – from the workforce and leadership to access to the technology itself. According to the latest Gender Snapshot 2026, women account for only around 22 per cent of artificial intelligence professionals globally and hold fewer than 14 per cent of senior leadership positions. Women are also around 20 per cent less likely than men to use generative artificial intelligence tools.
Artificial Intelligence also poses risks for women and girls in other areas. AI is increasing the scale, speed and severity of technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, while reinforcing gender stereotypes and structural discrimination, especially for women in public life. A UN Women study showed that almost one in four incidents of online violence against women human rights defenders, activists and journalists involved the use of artificial intelligence.
Women are also more exposed to the potential disruption of generative AI in the workplace. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), occupations dominated by women are almost twice as likely to be exposed to generative AI as those dominated by men.
There is an urgent need to strengthen safeguards and regulation of artificial intelligence, ensure women’s equal participation in AI development and decision-making, and address the risks that these technologies pose to women and girls.
This article is based on a press release by UN Women. The full text is available here.
