Women are less likely to use artificial intelligence at work and—even when they do—receive less recognition for that effort, according to a new survey by Lean In, an organization that advocates for women’s rights.
The significance of that gap lies in the fact that AI skills are now widely seen as among the most valuable in the labor market. Over time, such disparities in recognition could deepen existing inequalities in pay and career advancement, says Lean In founder Sheryl Sandberg.
According to the survey, conducted in early March among 1,000 adults in the United States, 78% of men said they use AI at work, compared with 73% of women. The differences are sharper, however, when it comes to how those efforts are recognized: among AI users, only 18% of women said they had been praised for it, compared with 27% of men. Similarly, 30% of women said they felt supported by managers, versus 37% of men.
Although the study was relatively small, its findings are consistent with other research. Studies published in 2025, for example, found that women developers who use AI are perceived as less competent than men. That fits into a broader pattern—women, on average, receive less mentorship and less positive feedback in the workplace.
Sandberg says this reflects the same entrenched biases that have long existed in professional settings, now resurfacing in a new technological domain. Other studies also show that men are more often praised for the effort they put in, while women are more often criticized.
This male advantage in gaining recognition for experimenting with new AI tools could, over time, strengthen reputations, shape performance evaluations, and widen opportunities for career advancement, the report says. “These small gaps become very significant over time if they are not addressed now,” Sandberg notes.
In the end, her recommendation remains the same—get involved more actively. This time, in learning to work with artificial intelligence.