A new global survey reveals clear differences in how women and men in Sweden understand, use, and perceive AI. Women are generally less positive about AI, use the technology less frequently, and feel less comfortable with it. “If Sweden is to avoid falling behind in AI development, we must work for greater inclusion and understanding. AI is about creating value and that requires diverse perspectives,” says Charlotta Kvarnström at EY.
Lower understanding and usage among women
Swedes show gender differences in attitudes toward AI. Women report lower levels of understanding, enthusiasm, and usage of AI. According to the survey by consulting and auditing firm EY, fewer women in Sweden than men say they have a good understanding of AI—16 percent compared with 23 percent of men. When asked how AI affects daily life, 35 percent of women said AI has a positive impact on their everyday life, compared with 41 percent of men. The survey is based on responses from more than 15,000 people across 15 countries, including 1,002 respondents in Sweden.
Optimism and concerns about AI
Women are also more cautious when it comes to optimism about AI’s future. Fewer women than men believe the positive effects of AI outweigh the negatives, and they are less likely to say that AI makes their lives easier. Concerns are common among both women and men—mainly related to AI’s role in the spread of misinformation and the risk of manipulation.
The importance of inclusion in AI development
“We see a difference in experience and use of AI, and that difference must be taken seriously regardless of which group in society is affected. To prevent Sweden from falling behind in AI development we need to work on inclusion and understanding. AI is about creating value, and that requires different perspectives,” says Charlotta Kvarnström, partner and advisor in the technology, media, and telecommunications industry at EY.
Different usage patterns between genders
The differences also show up in how the technology is used. Women generally report lower use of AI for work-related tasks and information management, such as summarizing documents, getting financial advice, or drafting texts. Conversely, more women say they use AI as creative support for activities like art, poetry, and other hobbies. Examples of such AI tools include image generators like DALL·E and text generators like ChatGPT.
AI requires more than technical skills
For technology solutions to deliver value, understanding is essential. The perspective on AI competence needs to be broadened beyond purely technical skills.
“Succeeding with AI requires more than technical knowledge—it requires understanding the business, the users, and the society in which the technology operates. As part of efforts to increase understanding and inclusion in the tech field, EY is engaged in the Nordic region’s largest tech conference for women, Women in Tech. Our focus at this year’s conference is to broaden the view of the skills needed to succeed with AI, clarify how to create value, and measure the value and return on generative AI,” says Charlotta Kvarnström.