New analysis examines how AI impacts women in the workplace

A recent article published in Fast Company on Nov. 2, 2026, explores the distinct ways artificial intelligence affects women’s professional lives, focusing on issues of workplace exhaustion and perceived competence. Author Laëtitia Vitaud argues that the current discourse on automation often overlooks gender-specific impacts, treating the workforce as a monolithic group.

Data from the International Labour Organization indicates that women face a higher risk of job exposure to generative AI. In rich countries, 9.6% of jobs held by women fall into the highest category of exposure to these technologies, compared to 3.5% of jobs held by men.

The report highlights a phenomenon described as a digital version of the Matilda effect. According to a Harvard Business Review study of over 1,000 engineers, women who utilized AI tools saw their perceived competence drop by 13%, while men experienced a 6% decline. This perception gap widened to 26% when the work was evaluated by men who did not use AI themselves.

Vitaud notes that women are currently facing a double bind in the workplace. They risk being judged as less competent if they use AI, yet are viewed as outdated if they avoid the technology. She suggests that when a woman uses AI, credit is often attributed to the machine, whereas a man's decision to use the tool is frequently viewed as a sign of good judgment.

The analysis also points out that women are disproportionately responsible for non-promotable tasks, such as scheduling and drafting routine communications. While these tasks are increasingly being automated, the article suggests that the shift in workplace dynamics requires a closer look at how these changes influence career progression and professional recognition for women.