A clear and persistent gender gap in how people perceive, use, and trust artificial intelligence, particularly among U.S. adults and global survey groups. Across multiple surveys, men are consistently more likely than women to view AI positively, use AI tools more frequently, and expect stronger personal or societal benefits from the technology. Women, in contrast, tend to express greater caution, skepticism, and concern about AI’s long-term impact on jobs, relationships, and society.
One of the most consistent findings is that men are more likely to adopt generative AI tools in daily life and work. Studies show that men not only report higher usage rates but also greater confidence in using AI systems for productivity tasks. In contrast, women are more likely to report hesitation, often linked to concerns about privacy, transparency, and the reliability of AI-generated outputs. This adoption gap appears across age groups but is especially noticeable in working-age adults.
The perception gap is also significant. Pew data indicates that women are more likely than men to believe AI will have negative consequences for society, including harm to creativity, trust, and human relationships. Men, by comparison, are more optimistic and more likely to see AI as a tool that will improve efficiency and economic opportunity. These differences in outlook help explain why usage patterns diverge, since optimism and trust strongly influence adoption of new technologies.
The report also situates the gender gap within broader inequalities in digital skills, workplace roles, and exposure to AI tools. Women are often underrepresented in technical fields where AI is first deployed, which can limit early access and familiarity. At the same time, concerns about bias, opacity, and unequal outcomes in AI systems may further discourage adoption among women, reinforcing the divide over time.
The gender gap in AI is not just about access, but about trust, perception, and confidence in the technology itself. As AI becomes more embedded in work, education, and daily life, addressing these differences may be important for ensuring equal participation in an AI-driven economy, where the ability to use and understand AI tools is becoming increasingly essential.
