“There’s no perfect or dream job anymore,” says Shagufta Ahmed, an entrepreneur and business developer based out of Lucknow city in UP, India. She acknowledges the role of generative AI tools in her work efficiency but at the same time, is also worried about the impact artificial intelligence (AI) will have on jobs-especially for white collar women professionals.

“Technology is changing expectations, salaries, and lifestyles. AI helps with presentations, grammar, and communication. It’s useful, but companies are increasingly relying on it instead of experimenting with people. There are fewer women in jobs compared to men, and many backend roles without human interaction are changing rapidly,” says Ahmed.

Ahmed is not alone in her concerns related to AI.

A recent report by Anthropic, a leading AI company, suggests that women, particularly those in high-paying professional roles, are most exposed to AI driven disruption. 

In a country like India, that report suggests a deeper, impending crisis. Data says women participating in white collar jobs account for only 12.5% out of 80 million professionals in India. A latest report by Azim Premji University shows women account for 73 million non-agricultural jobs compared to 250 million men.

In fact, India is not alone, many other developing countries are facing similar problems when it comes to low representation of women in high-end, managerial roles. International Monetary Fund (IMF) data says Nigerian women account for 6.9-7% in the formal work sector.

Statistics or any other report will tell only part of the story. To understand how women are facing problems and perceive this shift, we spoke with professionals across technology and education sectors who interact with AI in their daily work. Their experiences reveal a more nuanced reality—one where the technology is not simply replacing jobs but reshaping them.

Women are Learning to Work Alongside Intelligent Systems

For Preeti Choudhary, an AI Data Analyst at Tech Mahindra in Noida of Delhi-NCR, AI is already an everyday collaborator rather than a looming threat.

Her work involves preparing and analyzing datasets that help train AI models—an experience that has given her a close view of how the technology functions behind the scenes.

“I work with data that helps train AI models, so I feel that I work alongside AI rather than competing with it,” she says. “AI may automate certain repetitive tasks, but human understanding, judgment, and context are still very important.”

Echoing this sentiment, another professional, who didn’t wish to be named adds, “I don’t think AI will fully replace jobs because human creativity and personal judgment are essential for achieving better results.”

Choudhary believes the real challenge is not automation itself but how professionals adapt to it. As AI tools become more capable, routine processes may become automated, but new types of work are also emerging around managing, improving, and guiding these systems.

Her own career path reflects that shift. Coming from a non-technical background, she gradually developed the skills required to work with AI through continuous learning and hands-on experience.

“With the right guidance, inclusive training programs, and supportive workplace policies, more women can confidently participate in and contribute to the AI-driven future,” she says.

For Shivangi, a content strategist from Chandigarh in Punjab, adapting to AI is as much about access as it is about mindset. She believes AI could also be about learning, adaptation and finding a new voice.

“Free AI learning programmes and dedicated time slots during work to learn these tools can make a huge difference,” she says, highlighting the importance of structured opportunities for upskilling.

How Women Educators View AI

In education, the conversation around AI often centers on how technology can support learning rather than replace educators.

Dr. Bhawna Solanki, an assistant professor and AI educator who also lectures at the Delhi School of Journalism, says AI tools have already begun assisting with academic tasks, from drafting outlines to summarizing information.

Yet she believes the core of education remains fundamentally human.

“AI may automate some routine aspects of my work, such as drafting outlines, summarizing information, or assisting with research,” Solanki explains. “However, the core of teaching and media education involves critical thinking, mentorship, ethical guidance, and classroom interaction, which cannot be fully replaced by AI.”

“In the next decade, the most important skill will not be competing with AI but learning how to collaborate with it,” she adds. “Women who gain strong digital and AI literacy will be well positioned to lead in this new environment.”

One reason researchers believe women may be more exposed to AI-driven workplace changes is the type of roles many hold across industries. Communication, coordination, documentation, and administrative functions—areas where women are often heavily represented—are also where generative AI tools are advancing quickly.

Solanki acknowledges this overlap but cautions against viewing it as an inevitable disadvantage.

“The issue is not simply whether women are more exposed to AI, but whether they are equally empowered to shape and use these technologies,” she explains.

AI, Leadership Gap and the Question of Gender Bias

While women are entering technology roles in increasing numbers, they remain underrepresented in leadership positions.

Chinazo Anebelundu, Director of AI Solutions Delivery, says this reflects a broader pipeline issue.

“To see more women leading AI companies, we must ensure greater access to STEM education, technical roles, mentorship, and funding opportunities,” she explains.

Encouraging participation at early stages, she argues, will naturally expand leadership pathways.

As AI becomes more integrated into professional life, concerns about bias within these systems have grown. Because AI models learn from large datasets reflecting real-world patterns, they can sometimes reproduce existing inequalities.

“Like many technologies, AI systems can reflect the biases present in the data they are trained on,” Solanki says.

This makes ethical awareness just as important as technical skill.

Is the AI Boom a Threat or an Opportunity for Women? 

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the nature of work across industries. From drafting reports and analyzing data to assisting in research and customer support, AI-powered tools are now embedded in everyday professional tasks. AI is making many things easier, reducing the time, labor, and effort required to perform tasks that once took significantly longer. 

But at the same time, its automation is costing jobs, especially clerical and admin jobs where women outnumber men. The miniscule percentage of white collar professional women at top managerial posts also stand to lose the most.

Indeed, the AI boom remains a double edged sword for women workforce as they dodge established patriarchal dogmas and systemic bias, only to find themselves competing against a technology that sees no gender, hence doesn’t understand the societal nuances. 

For women navigating this transition, the key factor will be access: to education, training, and opportunities.

Because in the end, the future of artificial intelligence will not only be defined by algorithms and data, but by the people who build, guide, and lead it.

Also Read: Educated, Experienced, and Most Exposed: How AI Is Targeting Women