Women in AI 2026: 22% of AI professionals and 13% of AI leaders
Artificial intelligence is reshaping work and society, but the people building it are far from representative. Several 2026 reports measure how large the gender gap in AI still is.
The numbers
- UN Women's Gender Snapshot 2026: women account for about 22% of AI professionals globally and fewer than 14% of senior leadership positions (UNRIC, 2026).
- LinkedIn: women were 26% of US AI hires in 2025, against 50% of hires into non-AI roles. At AI companies, women hold just 13% of C-suite AI leadership roles (Bloomberg Government, 2026).
- World Economic Forum: about one in five AI engineering roles is held by a woman (Enterprise DNA, 2026).
- Exposure: the National Partnership for Women & Families found that women make up 83% of the workforce in the 15 jobs most exposed to AI automation (PSHRA, 2026).
Why it matters
Teams that build AI shape what it can do and who it serves. Diverse teams are better placed to spot bias in training data, design products for a wider range of users and earn broader trust. At the same time, women are concentrated in roles most affected by automation, which makes access to AI skills and careers an economic question as well as a fairness one.
What is closing the gap
Mentoring networks, scholarships, returnship programmes and visible role models all help. A 2026 survey by ANSR and Talent500 found that 95% of women in technology are willing to move into AI roles, which suggests the talent is ready when the opportunities and support are there.
A name for the community
AiWomen.ai is a clear, memorable name for a community, network, media brand, mentoring platform or conference for women in artificial intelligence.
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References
- UNRIC (2026). AI is advancing fast: women are being left behind.
- Bloomberg Government (2026). AI's lucrative jobs boom is leaving women behind globally.
- Enterprise DNA (2026). WEF Global Gender Gap Report 2026.
- PSHRA (2026). Women overrepresented in most AI-vulnerable jobs.
Frequently asked questions
What share of AI professionals are women?
About 22% worldwide according to UN Women in 2026, and fewer than 14% of senior AI leaders.
How many AI leaders are women?
LinkedIn found women hold 13% of C-suite AI leadership roles at AI companies.
Is AiWomen.ai for sale?
Yes. AiWomen.ai is for sale on 4ai by offer, with Escrow payment and no buyer fees.
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