Women View AI As Riskier Than Men

A study conducted by Beatrice Magistro and her colleagues at Northeastern University reveals that women are more likely to view AI, particularly generative AI, as a risk-laden entity. This disparity in risk assessment is attributed to differences in risk exposure and tolerance. The research, which drew upon extensive survey samples from the U. S. and Canada, suggests that a person’s familiarity with risk and their capacity to endure it are crucial factors in shaping their attitudes towards the uncertainties of new technologies.

As AI continues its inexorable march into the workplace, its benefits – enhanced productivity and intelligence – are offset by significant perils, including job displacement, data breaches, and biased decision-making. The impact of these issues will not be uniformly distributed, with women, who predominate in administrative, clerical, and service industries, being among the most vulnerable to automation.

The underrepresentation of women in STEM fields creates barriers to accessing jobs and leadership positions in AI technology. Prior studies have demonstrated that algorithmic biases disproportionately affect women in areas such as hiring, lending, and healthcare.