Post by Women Shaping AI

An identical resume with a different name led to a very different reaction. A new study used AI to generate two identical resumes. One belonged to “Emily Clarke.” The other belonged to “James Clarke.” Reviewers were told both resumes had been created with help from AI. The result: ⚡ Reviewers of Emily’s resume were 22% more likely to question whether she could be trusted ⚡ Her resume was twice as likely to raise doubts about competence ⚡ James’s AI use was interpreted as resourceful ⚡ Emily’s AI use was interpreted as a red flag Source: That is the AI adoption gap in action. On the one hand, we have the issue of women using AI less than men. On the other hand, when they do use it, they are judged more harshly. This matters because AI is quickly becoming part of the default toolkit for writing, research, analysis, job applications, productivity, and career advancement. If men are rewarded for using AI efficiently while women are questioned for using the same tools, the gap will compound. Women may become more cautious, less visible, less likely to experiment, and less likely to claim AI-enabled work with confidence. And that is how bias enters the workplace. Not always through formal policy, but through perception. The solution is not to tell women to simply “use AI more.” Leaders have to address how AI use is evaluated, praised, questioned, and normalized. Equitable AI adoption requires cultures where women can experiment without penalty, build fluency without judgment, and receive credit for using AI strategically. At Women Shaping AI, we believe women should not have to navigate this moment alone. Women Shaping AI is a global community where women from all walks of life come together to learn about AI, build confidence and capability, and open doors for each other. Through shared learning and practical conversations, we help women use AI with confidence while challenging the double standards that hold women back. If that resonates, we’d love to have you join us: www.womenshapingai.com #womenshapingai #womeninai #aileadership #futureofwork #responsibleai