Why does artificial intelligence provoke so much apprehension among women?

At the dawn of 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) is now established as a key player in many sectors and in our daily lives. Yet, despite its potential to positively transform society, a notable particularity emerges: women show a more pronounced apprehension towards this technology than their male counterparts. This caution raises questions, especially since this mistrust does not stem from simple irrational fear but is based on tangible realities related to their social, economic, and professional position. Understanding these apprehensions is essential, as they reveal not only gender-related issues in the technological field but also crucial challenges to address to ensure balanced inclusion and real equality in access to the benefits of AI.

As AI transforms work methods, automates tasks, and offers innovative prospects in health, education, or services, the female questioning around risks and benefits takes on a very particular dimension. It is less a rejection of novelty than a legitimate demand for guarantees, notably in terms of job security and the fight against gender biases and discrimination. This phenomenon, studied in-depth by North American researchers in 2026, provides invaluable insight into the differentiated perception of this technology by gender, with concrete consequences for public policies, recruitment practices, and technological development.

The roots of female apprehensions towards artificial intelligence in the professional context

One of the keys to understanding why women are often more worried about artificial intelligence lies in their specific place in the labor market. The professional world, rapidly changing under the influence of technology, does not place all employees in an equal position regarding the risks of automation.

Women are predominantly employed in sectors such as administration, personal services, management, or office professions, which are among the most vulnerable to AI automation. Administrative assistants, data entry operators, or human resources agents see their routine tasks gradually replaced by algorithms capable of performing massive processing quickly and at lower cost. This reality naturally increases women’s perception of an elevated professional risk.

At the same time, they remain underrepresented in traditional STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields, which are at the forefront of AI development. This low representation further limits their access to qualified, highly sought-after, and often better-paid jobs from these disciplines. The result of this double phenomenon is a higher exposure and less control over the technological changes that are redefining employment.

The impact of this situation is amplified among women with lower educational levels. A study conducted by Northeastern University in 2026 reveals that, across all categories, a lower level of education is accompanied by a much more negative perception of the benefits of AI. Yet, even at comparable education levels, women remain more wary than men, suggesting that apprehension is also linked to sociocultural factors. This imbalance on the educational and professional level thus crystallizes fears based on genuine employment and economic security stakes.

How risk tolerance influences the differentiated perceptions of AI between women and men

Beyond professional exposure, another key dimension explaining women’s apprehensions towards AI is their risk tolerance. Social science researchers who have studied perception gaps between men and women have highlighted a notable behavioral trait: women generally adopt a more cautious approach to uncertainties and potential consequences.

To assess this phenomenon, a simple experiment was proposed: choose between receiving a guaranteed sum or trying one’s luck with a higher but uncertain probability of winning. The result: women more frequently opt for financial security than risk-taking. This tendency reflects a stronger orientation towards preserving stability and increased ambiguity aversion.

In the AI context, this character trait translates into relative skepticism towards technologies that, by definition, involve an element of unpredictability, notably regarding their long-term effects on employment and work relations. This phenomenon is not synonymous with categorical refusal of innovation but rather a greater demand for clarity and concrete guarantees.

It is striking to note that when risk tolerance is comparable among individuals, the difference in AI perception between men and women decreases or even disappears. This highlights that female apprehension is also related to a psychological profile where caution plays a protective role against technological transformations.

Thus, the importance of adopting a nuanced approach that takes these behavioral aspects into account is measured in order to better support all social categories in appropriating AI. Otherwise, inequalities deepen, both in usage and in trust placed in this disruptive technology.

Table: Evaluation of risk tolerance and perception of AI risks by gender

Criterion	Women	Men
Preference for safe option (financial example)	68 %	48 %
Average assessment of AI-related risks (scale 1 to 10)	4.87	4.38
Professional exposure to automation	Higher	Lower
Participation in STEM sectors	Low	High

The importance of gender biases in artificial intelligence technologies

Women’s fears towards AI are also explained by the persistence of gender biases in the design of these technologies themselves. Indeed, AI algorithms and systems are designed by predominantly male teams, which results in models that are often biased, reproducing or even amplifying existing discriminations.

These biases can manifest in different areas. For example, voice assistants continue to have a female voice by default, associated with a servile position, conveying outdated stereotypes. In more critical areas, such as recruiting or human resource management, automated decision systems may disadvantage female candidates and reinforce pay gaps.

This bias issue is all the more sensitive when algorithms are deployed without transparency or close control, amplifying a sense of injustice and exclusion among women. UNESCO has taken a stand by promoting the necessity of inclusive ethics in AI development to guarantee respect for equality and combat discrimination.

The challenge is therefore twofold: on the one hand, ensuring greater diversity in development teams to design fairer systems, and on the other hand, strengthening control and regulatory mechanisms to correct intrinsic biases in these technologies.

The role of inclusion and technological education for better balance in the perception of AI

To reduce apprehensions among women, it is crucial to promote greater inclusion in technological fields. This particularly involves increased promotion of studies and careers in STEM, where their underrepresentation remains striking.

Educational initiatives from an early age play a fundamental role. They help to deconstruct gender stereotypes, encourage interest in technology, and develop skills adapted to future professions. Several countries have experimented with programs specifically targeting girls, with encouraging results on career orientation and self-confidence.

Beyond education, companies also have a major role to play. They can facilitate women’s access to technological positions and support their advancement by adopting inclusive policies, offering appropriate training, and ensuring balanced representation in AI projects. This strategy not only leads to better pay equity but also improves the quality of products and services.

By encouraging wider female participation in the tech sector, biases are reduced, and more ethical and better-adapted AI solutions for society as a whole can be designed. Thus, inclusion is a key pathway to transforming AI into a technology that benefits everyone, without discrimination.

List of levers to improve the inclusion of women in AI:

• Awareness campaigns starting in primary school to encourage technological vocations among girls
• Mentorship and professional networks dedicated to women in tech
• Continuous training programs and skills development on emerging technologies
• Recruitment policies promoting parity and diversity in AI teams
• Development of alert and correction tools for gender-related algorithmic biases

The issue of job security at the center of women’s concerns regarding artificial intelligence

The fear of losing one’s job or seeing one’s role devalued is a powerful driver of mistrust expressed by many women towards artificial intelligence. While this technology is often associated with the promise of increased efficiency, it also carries uncertainties for the professional future.

The administrative and service sector, where they are predominantly present, is particularly affected by automation projects. Induced transformations may lead to job cuts or to skills evolutions that are not always accessible to everyone. This situation fuels a concrete concern which is reflected in their responses to surveys such as the one conducted by Beatrice Magistro and her colleagues.

To remedy these fears, public policies and companies must act to provide solid guarantees. Among these, emphasis must be placed on:

• Professional retraining facilitated by training adapted to new technological demands
• Transparency in AI integration processes within organizations
• Implementation of social dialogue mechanisms to anticipate changes
• Maintaining job security with strengthened rights facing technological risks

Experiences show that where these measures are implemented, women are more inclined to consider artificial intelligence as an opportunity rather than a threat. The absence of such guarantees, on the other hand, fuels mistrust and apprehension, widening the gender gap.

Cultural and social representations influencing women’s perception of AI

Female apprehensions are also rooted in broader cultural and social representations that shape the relationship to science and technology. Historically, women have often been excluded from scientific fields, contributing to building stereotypes that still persist today.

This exclusion has created a sense of distance from technologies considered masculine domains. Consequently, artificial intelligence is sometimes perceived as a sphere dominated by men, removed from women’s realities and concerns. This perception can reinforce distrust, especially when coupled with a lack of visibility of female role models in the sector.

Nevertheless, these representations are gradually evolving. Increasingly, female figures emerge as leaders in the AI field, embodying possible success and stimulating the interest of younger generations. These evolutions impact attitudes and open the way for broader and more nuanced acceptance of technology.

It remains essential, however, to continue efforts to deconstruct persistent stereotypes, notably through education, media coverage, and promotion of real equality in technological sectors.

Measures and recommendations to reconcile women and artificial intelligence

Faced with the legitimate concerns raised by women about artificial intelligence, several levers must be activated to establish a climate of trust and guarantee beneficial and equitable integration of these technologies:

• Ensure complete transparency in the functioning of AI systems, with accessible information about their real impacts and limitations.
• Establish strict regulatory frameworks to prevent any form of discrimination, notably gender-related, in AI development and application.
• Promote active dialogue between developers, companies, public authorities, and civil society actors to consider all voices, especially women’s.
• Stimulate inclusive research by valuing projects integrating diversity and correcting algorithmic biases.
• Develop training and retraining programs adapted to allow everyone, and especially women, to access the jobs of tomorrow.

These combined actions aim to transform apprehensions into opportunities, focusing on strengthened job security, real equality regarding technological innovations, and effective inclusion that makes artificial intelligence a driver of collective progress.

Why do women perceive more risks in artificial intelligence than men?

Women are often more exposed to jobs vulnerable to automation and generally have a lower risk tolerance, which influences their perception of AI as a technology potentially dangerous for their professional future.

How do gender biases impact AI development?

Gender biases in algorithms stem from development teams that are often not very diverse, which can reinforce stereotypes and discrimination, notably in recruitment or service access.

What measures can improve the inclusion of women in the AI sector?

It is essential to promote STEM studies among girls, establish inclusive hiring policies, and develop continuous training to strengthen the female presence in technological professions.

Does artificial intelligence really threaten women’s job security?

Certain tasks predominantly performed by women are more exposed to automation, which raises concrete concerns. Adapted policies and ongoing training are necessary to secure professional paths.

How to encourage more women to get involved in AI technologies?

Increased visibility of female role models, awareness from an early age, and support within companies help encourage and retain women in these sectors.