The world is shifting, and not always for the better. March 8 marks International Women’s Day—a time to reflect on progress, setbacks, and the road ahead. Last year, we explored the gender gap in tech, celebrating strides while acknowledging persistent barriers. Now, as 2025 approaches, the stakes feel even higher.
Political turbulence, economic uncertainty, and a growing wave of divisive rhetoric continue to impact women’s progress—especially in the tech industry. From gender pay gaps to systemic barriers, the road to equality is still an uphill climb. But amidst the chaos, can AI become an unexpected ally for women in tech?
The Political Landscape: An Unforgiving Backdrop
We are in an era where political speeches fuel division rather than unity. As gender equality efforts face mounting opposition worldwide, setbacks in policy-making and representation make it harder for women to thrive. A recent analysis by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka highlights a grim reality: from Afghanistan’s regression on women’s rights to political shifts in the U.S. that threaten hard-won progress, democracy is faltering, and bodily autonomy is under siege.
In tech, these political waves ripple into hiring trends, workplace policies, and even access to education. The question is no longer just about inclusion—it’s about resilience.
Can AI Help Close the Gender Gap in Tech?
AI is disrupting industries at an unprecedented scale. While concerns over bias persist, emerging trends suggest that AI could play a key role in closing the gender gap. Deloitte predicts that by the end of 2025, women’s adoption of generative AI in the U.S. will match or exceed that of men—a significant shift, considering that in 2023, women’s AI usage was only half that of men. The trend is global: Europe is rapidly closing the AI gender gap, signaling an opportunity for women to leverage AI for career advancement, entrepreneurship, and workplace efficiency.
Beyond adoption, AI has the potential to level the playing field in several ways:
- Reducing Bias in Hiring: AI-driven tools can help mitigate unconscious bias in recruitment by focusing on skills rather than gendered assumptions.
- Flexible Work Solutions: AI-powered automation can support remote and flexible work structures, helping women balance career ambitions with caregiving responsibilities.
- Upskilling and Reskilling: AI-driven learning platforms provide accessible, customized education, enabling women to stay competitive in evolving tech roles.
The Economic Reality: Gender Pay Gap and Work Experience Disparities
Despite progress, the gender pay gap remains a stubborn obstacle. McKinsey’s research reveals that nearly 80% of the pay gap stems from diverging work experience patterns, not just discrimination. Women accumulate less time on the job than men, averaging 8.6 years of work for every 10 years men log. Over a 30-year career, this results in half a million dollars in lost earnings.
The solution isn’t just equal pay—it’s ensuring women have equal access to opportunities that allow for continuous career progression. AI-driven workplace analytics and policy recommendations can help companies identify and address these disparities more effectively than ever before.
From Defense to Leadership: Closing the Gender Gap Through AI
Historically, gender equality efforts have focused on holding the line—defending progress made. But as Mlambo-Ngcuka argues, now is the time to go beyond defense and take the lead. Women in tech must not only participate in AI’s evolution but shape its direction. This means pushing for:
- Greater Representation in AI Development: Ensuring diverse teams build the technology that will shape our future.
- Stronger Regulations Against Bias: Advocating for policies that hold AI accountable for fairness and inclusivity.
- Mentorship and Sponsorship: Elevating the next generation of women in tech through strategic networking and leadership development.
The New Battle: Power, Control, and the Gender Gap in Technology
Women must constantly justify their rights because those in power benefit from the status quo. Some leaders, driven by control rather than fairness, see gender equality as a threat rather than a necessity.
High-ranking corporate and political figures often exhibit traits like lack of empathy and manipulation, making resistance to gender equality a strategic choice rather than an oversight. Gaslighting, dismissal of disparities, and systemic barriers ensure that every gain is met with resistance, keeping progress slow and exhausting.
Even AI and automation—tools that could empower women—risk being manipulated to reinforce existing hierarchies. Progress won’t come from convincing those in power to change; we need to recognize this reality and act accordingly.
Conclusion: AI as an Equalizer or a Divider in the Gender Gap?
The answer depends on us. AI has the potential to be a force for gender equality, but only if women are active architects of its future. If political rhetoric continues to undermine progress, AI could serve as both a tool for empowerment and a battleground for bias.
As we step into 2025, the mission is clear: women need to incorporate AI into their skill sets, remain resilient in the face of the political storm, and redefine what equity in tech truly means. The future isn’t just about adapting to change—it’s about leading it.