AI has a different kind of bias problem, but it’s an often repeated one

AI bias is usually talked about in terms of algorithms: skewed datasets, flawed outputs, and stereotypes baked into models. But new research suggests there’s another, more subtle problem about who gets to use AI in the first place. According to a recent report by Lean In, women are less likely than men to use AI tools at work, and even when they do, they’re less likely to get recognition or support for it.

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The numbers paint a clear picture. Men are more likely to use AI regularly (33% vs 27%), more likely to have ever used it at work, and significantly more likely to be encouraged by managers to adopt it. And it’s not just about access, but also about perception. Women are more likely to worry about the risks of AI, question its accuracy, and even fear being judged