Chicago Booth Review Podcast
What’s behind the AI gender gap?
Mar 19, 2025
Anders Humlum, an Assistant Professor of Economics at the Booth School of Business, explores why women are utilizing generative AI less than men. He discusses the productivity implications of this gender gap and the necessary training to bridge it. The conversation also highlights demographic differences in AI adoption, the role of generative AI in various occupations, and how businesses can support equitable access to these tools. Humlum raises critical questions about who will truly benefit from the AI revolution.
25:11
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Women are significantly less likely than men to use generative AI due to perceived access barriers rather than a lack of perceived utility.
- Despite recognizing the potential benefits of generative AI for productivity, many workers face obstacles that hinder their active usage of the technology.
Deep dives
Adoption Rates of Generative AI in the Workforce
Approximately half of workers in occupations exposed to generative AI have experimented with the technology, though usage rates vary significantly across different fields. Software developers lead adoption rates, with nearly 79% having tried ChatGPT, while only around a third of financial advisors have utilized it. Active utilization is lower, with only about 30-40% of these workers regularly using the tool for productivity gains. This disparity highlights that even when workers acknowledge the potential benefits of generative AI in productivity, actual usage can be inconsistent.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
