By Robai Ludenyi
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) could deepen gender inequality in the workplace, with women facing a greater risk of job disruption and limited access to new opportunities created by the technology, according to a joint report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and LinkedIn.
The warning was issued during the launch of the Global Gender Gap Report 2026 at an event in London, where experts highlighted the uneven impact of AI on men and women in the labour market. The report points to concerns that women could lose ground in the workplace if businesses and governments fail to include them in the development and adoption of emerging technologies.
Saadia Zahidi, a managing board member at the World Economic Forum, explained that many of the occupations most affected by AI are those where women have traditionally established a strong presence. She noted that white-collar employment has provided millions of women with stable livelihoods and opportunities for professional growth over the past several decades. However, the same jobs are now among those experiencing disruption as companies introduce AI-powered systems to handle tasks previously performed by employees.
The development raises concerns about whether women will have sufficient opportunities to transition into new positions as workplace responsibilities change. The gender imbalance is even more visible within AI-focused companies, according to the report. Women remain less represented than men in comparable non-AI companies, with the gap extending across different levels of employment.
LinkedIn Managing Director Sue Duke highlighted the situation, revealing that women occupy only one in every five AI engineering positions. The figure reflects the limited participation of women in one of the technology sector’s rapidly developing professional fields. Duke warned that the economic benefits of AI could disproportionately go to men if more women are not given opportunities to acquire technical skills and pursue careers in emerging scientific and technological fields.
She called on governments and businesses to invest in training programmes that help women enter AI-related careers from the beginning. She also emphasised that support should continue throughout women’s professional lives, allowing them to develop new skills and adapt as technology changes the demands of the workplace.
Such investments could help women participate in the opportunities emerging from AI rather than being left behind as traditional roles evolve. The report also highlights that gender inequality remains a global challenge despite progress over the past two decades. While the gap between men and women has narrowed since the World Economic Forum began publishing its Global Gender Gap Report 20 years ago, the pace of improvement has slowed.
According to the latest findings, progress towards closing the gender gap during the past ten years has been slower than it was in the preceding decade.
The findings underline the need for sustained efforts to address unequal access to education, employment and career development. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape workplaces, the participation of women in technology training and professional opportunities will remain an important part of discussions about inclusive economic growth.