Breaking Gender Patterns Through AI Fluency

20 Oct 2026
Women in HR: Building Influence
Gender dynamics at work don’t stand still, and they’re still being disrupted and reinforced daily. And women continue to navigate a level of scrutiny that their male colleagues rarely experience. 

Now AI is entering the picture, and it’s not a neutral variable. As AI defines the next chapter of work, the people who learn to use it effectively will move faster, make decisions with more confidence, and gain visibility. Those who don’t risk falling, and the data suggests that women are already at a disadvantage: research shows that women are 25% less likely to use generative AI tools than men. This gap isn’t just about technology, it impacts workforce planning and leadership pipelines, compensation, and long-term economic opportunities. 

In this workshop, we’ll explore why women aren’t embracing AI at the same rate and how to reduce the impediments to AI adoption. We’ll review real business cases and even interact with AI technology directly in a low-risk, supportive environment.
Speakers
Lindsay Bernhagen
Lindsay Bernhagen, Learning and Development Expert

Learning Objective 1

The competence penalty: why women are judged more harshly than men for using AI to aid their work

Learning Objective 2

The cost of opting out: how avoiding AI can limit career progression and visibility, widening the gender gap

Learning Objective 3

Speed vs. safety: how to turn caution into a strategic asset, not a limitation

Access Type

Women in HR Add-On