Despite GenAI’s transformative potential, women account for less than a third of AI-skilled workers globally—a figure that varies significantly by country. In places such as Pakistan and Egypt, female GenAI enrollments fall below 25%, whereas Uzbekistan and Ecuador each approach near parity, at roughly 50% and 48% respectively. These sharp contrasts illustrate how proactive policies, inclusive outreach, and industry support can help bridge the gap. The real-world consequences of this underrepresentation are significant, with studies revealing that 44% of AI systems exhibit gender bias when female perspectives are missing from AI development.

“The UK tech sector faces a critical moment. Between 2011 and 2020, the number of women entering full-time STEM degrees in the UK rose by 50%, but today they make up just 26% of the UK tech workforce, and our data show a similar pattern in GenAI with 31% female enrollment,” said Dr. Alexandra Urban, Learning Science Research Lead at Coursera. “This playbook outlines pragmatic steps—like offering beginner-friendly AI courses, creating role-model visibility, and defining clear AI policies—to expand women’s access to GenAI skills. By closing this gap, we can foster broader adoption of this technology and reduce bias in the next generation of AI tools.”

The playbook identifies core challenges UK women face when it comes to GenAI, including:

• Confidence gaps reduce persistence: Self-efficacy plays a crucial role in learning outcomes. Women often hesitate to engage in GenAI courses due to a lack of confidence, even when they possess the necessary skills. On Coursera, women are six times more likely to enroll in beginner-level GenAI courses than intermediate ones, indicating a preference for structured, accessible entry points. 
• Limited time and unclear guidelines hinder skill adoption: Many women cite “lack of time” as their top reason for discontinuing STEM courses, reflecting the reality of balancing home and work responsibilities. Additionally, uncertainty around how AI and GenAI applies to their careers can lead to hesitation. The absence of short learning pathways and employer AI policies only exacerbates the issue.
• Perceived lack of relevance: Only 36% of women believe GenAI can advance their careers, compared to 45% of men. This perception gap discourages upskilling. Women are more likely to engage when GenAI is framed through practical applications in healthcare, education, or creative industries. Real-world case studies and interdisciplinary GenAI courses have proven effective in increasing participation and completion rates.

Despite these challenges, demand for AI expertise in the UK continues to accelerate. Government funding for AI scholarships and the growing push to embed AI across sectors signal substantial opportunities for women—if access to GenAI skills is widened. By implementing new strategies, such as those listed in the playbook, leaders can help ensure women shape and benefit from one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech industries.

To access the ‘Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills’ playbook, click here.