In many sectors, AI is quickly becoming a core workplace skill. From drafting reports and analysing data to brainstorming ideas and improving productivity, AI is changing how many of us work.
However, new research from Lean In – the US-based non-profit organisation founded by Sheryl Sandberg to advance women’s leadership and workplace equality – suggests that women may be at risk of falling behind in AI adoption. While the research was carried out in the United States, the findings are likely to resonate with organisations across the UK and elsewhere as AI becomes increasingly embedded in the workplace.
The concern isn’t about technology. If AI skills become a key driver of career progression, unequal adoption today could contribute to unequal leadership opportunities tomorrow.
AI is becoming an essential workplace skill
The research found that men are significantly more likely than women to use AI regularly at work. Previous Lean In research showed that men are 22% more likely than women to use AI every day or almost constantly. They’re also 73% more likely to have learned new AI tools over the past year.
According to the report, this matters because employers increasingly view AI literacy as a valuable professional capability.
Around two-thirds (65%) of senior leaders surveyed believe employers now expect candidates and employees to be skilled at using AI, while 58% agree that people who use AI effectively are more competitive in the workplace.
Women remain more cautious about AI
One of the more revealing findings is that women are often less comfortable talking openly about using AI.
Among employees who already use AI, women were more likely than men to conceal that use from managers or colleagues.
The most common reasons included concerns that:
- their work would be taken less seriously;
- colleagues would assume they were cheating.
Those concerns seem understandable. Lean In’s wider research suggests women are more likely to be judged negatively for using AI while being less likely to receive recognition when AI improves their work.
If people feel they have to hide their use of new technology, they’re less likely to experiment, build confidence and develop new skills.
Not everyone has equal access to AI
The report also highlights differences in workplace support. Compared with women, men were more likely to work in organisations that:
- provide access to paid AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude or Microsoft Copilot;
- offer AI training and learning resources;
- actively encourage employees to use AI in their day-to-day work.
This creates an important challenge for employers. If organisations want everyone to benefit from AI, they need to ensure that learning opportunities are available to all employees, rather than relying on individuals to develop these skills independently.
Providing equitable access to AI training is becoming just as important as providing access to leadership development or other professional learning opportunities.
AI and career progression appear to be linked
Perhaps the most striking finding from the research is the relationship between regular AI use and career development.
Employees who reported using AI at least once a day were significantly more likely to say they had received:
- a promotion during the previous 12 months;
- a stronger performance review;
- places on leadership development programmes.
It’s important to remember that this research identifies a correlation rather than proving that AI use directly causes career success. People who actively embrace new technologies may already be more proactive, ambitious or working in organisations that invest more heavily in employee development.
Nevertheless, the findings raise an important question. If AI capability increasingly becomes part of how organisations identify high performers and future leaders, then unequal adoption today could widen existing gender gaps in leadership over time.
You can read more of the findings – along with advice for what women can do – here.
