ChatGPT has taken the world by storm, transforming the way people work and interact with technology. However, while it’s become a powerful tool in many industries, there’s one major issue that has recently come to light: a significant gender gap in who’s using it. Despite the chatbot’s widespread popularity, research has shown that women are significantly less likely to adopt ChatGPT compared to men, and no one is entirely sure why.

The Surprising Findings of a New Study

In a study conducted by economists Anders Humlum from the University of Chicago and Emilie Vestergaard from the University of Copenhagen, a staggering gender gap in ChatGPT adoption was uncovered. Their research, published at the end of last year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that women were 16 percentage points behind men when it came to using ChatGPT for work-related tasks.

This trend wasn’t just limited to one industry. Across a range of 11 professions, including software developers, teachers, legal professionals, and customer service representatives, the gap was consistently observed. The study found that journalists and marketing professionals were the most likely to use ChatGPT, with roughly 64% of people in these fields saying they use it for their work.

On the other hand, financial advisors and accountants had the lowest adoption rates, with only 18% of workers in these professions reporting regular use of ChatGPT. The researchers speculated that the lower adoption in these fields might be due to the sensitive nature of the information they handle daily.

Why Are Women Lagging Behind?

So, what’s causing this gender gap in ChatGPT adoption? According to Humlum and Vestergaard, the reasons aren’t entirely clear. They noted that, interestingly, women appear to be just as optimistic as men about the time-saving benefits of using ChatGPT, and in fact, some studies suggest women may even save more time than men when using the tool.

Despite these benefits, women still lag behind in adoption. One possible explanation is what the researchers call “adoption friction.” Essentially, women seem to experience more hesitation in embracing new AI technology like ChatGPT, largely due to a lack of training and exposure to such tools. When asked about their knowledge of ChatGPT, women were more likely than men to say they “don’t know how” to use it effectively.

The International Perspective: A Wider Trend

This gender gap isn’t limited to the U.S. or the workplace. In a separate study conducted in Norway, researchers found similar results when surveying over 500 students about their use of ChatGPT. The Norwegian study revealed that men were 10 to 25 percentage points more likely than women to use the chatbot regularly. Women also reported being less proficient at crafting effective ChatGPT prompts, a key skill in getting the best results from the tool.

Furthermore, female students appeared to be more sensitive to bans on ChatGPT use, suggesting that societal attitudes and policies surrounding the technology may also be influencing adoption rates differently for men and women.

The Bigger Picture: How AI is Reshaping Labor Markets

Both studies suggest that there is a legitimate and persistent gender gap in ChatGPT usage, but understanding why this gap exists remains a mystery. What is clear, however, is that this discrepancy could have significant implications as generative AI continues to reshape labor markets. AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly becoming integral to various industries, and those who are not using them regularly may find themselves falling behind in terms of productivity and career advancement.

Humlum and Vestergaard are especially interested in how generative AI will affect future labor markets. While the gender gap in ChatGPT adoption was an unexpected finding, it underscores the need for further research into how AI tools are changing the workplace and how to ensure equal access and training for everyone—regardless of gender.

Moving Forward: Closing the Gap

The gender gap in AI adoption is not just an interesting research topic; it’s a pressing issue that could influence the future of work. As AI continues to evolve and become more integrated into daily tasks, it will be crucial to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, has equal access to training and resources that will help them harness the full potential of these tools.

Whether through targeted education, awareness campaigns, or industry initiatives, closing the gender gap in AI adoption could have profound effects on both individuals and industries as a whole. For now, the data shows a clear trend—but the hope is that with time, support, and training, we can help more women bridge the gap and unlock the potential of AI.