LABOUR UNDER ILLUSION OP-ED: The feminine rage against the machine: Why we need women’s scepticism about AI
Women use AI less than men and it is scepticism born out of risk aversion and realisation that reckless AI adoption is going to cost them jobs.
A new op-ed argues that women's scepticism towards AI is not a problem to be solved, but a warning sign that should be heeded. The law firm that commissioned the research found that women use AI less than men, and that this could have serious consequences for the workplace. Their solution is to explain that AI is a useful tool and create psychological safety, but the author contends that this approach misses the point.
The author points out that women's scepticism is rooted in their understanding of the risks of reckless AI adoption, as well as the real threat it poses to women's careers. Women are both more risk-averse than men and more likely to see AI as a threat to their jobs and tasks. Additionally, research shows that women who do adopt AI are often seen as incompetent by their colleagues and supervisors, while men who adopt AI are viewed as pragmatic.
The op-ed calls on leaders and organizations to consider the potential consequences of forced AI adoption before pressuring women to use the technology without question. The author argues that companies should stop forcing AI adoption and instead focus on using AI as an augmentation tool that relies on human insight and questioning to produce a more valuable outcome. The op-ed suggests hiring sceptics, as they are valuable employees who can help organizations avoid costly mistakes and maintain their competitive advantage.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
