Women in tech are reporting higher levels of burnout than ever before — with AI, office attendance and visibility issues all blamed

A recent survey of 1,500 female-identifying tech professionals has revealed a troubling trend: burnout. An overwhelming 87% of those surveyed reported experiencing burnout, with half of them describing themselves as moderately, very, or extremely burned out. The report, titled the 2026 Speak Up report, was conducted by Ensono, and it identifies several factors contributing to this issue.

AI technology, which has become increasingly prevalent in the tech industry, has introduced a new dimension to the roles of women in tech. While 70% of the surveyed women possess advanced or expert AI knowledge and skills, 97% found at least one career benefit in using AI. However, 42% reported feeling pressured to produce more work in less time using AI, while 34% felt pressured to be always available for work and 43% were focused on constantly developing new work-related skills.

Adding to the pressure, 83% of the women surveyed aspired to executive leadership roles. This drive to succeed and be seen doing so adds to the overall feeling of burnout. To avoid burnout, the report suggests that business leaders should provide clarity on how AI adoption changes work expectations. Additionally, supporting flexibility and different paths to advancement can help women build lasting careers and strengthen business culture.