Men account for around two thirds of professionals listing AI skills on their CVs, compared to women representing just one third. However, the data shows that female representation has increased from 25% to 32% over the past three years, signalling encouraging momentum in the development of female AI talent.
The findings show significant growth across a range of AI capabilities, including machine learning, general AI and robotic process automation. Not only are women adopting AI skills at an increasing pace, but they are also leading the way in some areas. For example, female professionals dominate adoption of generative AI tools in content creation and design.
“Pnet's analysis of AI adoption among female professionals over the past six years reveals clear acceleration, with the strongest growth occurring during the last three years,” says Anja Bates, head of data at Pnet. “This is encouraging against the backdrop of international research suggesting that women have been slower than men to adopt AI in the workplace.”
Which AI capabilities are growing fastest among women?
Generative AI for design and media: This category shows the strongest levels of adoption among female professionals. Over the past three years, women accounted for approximately 70% of professionals adding design and media AI tools to their CVs, up from 57% during the previous three-year period.
Generative AI for content creation: Women account for more than half of professionals listing content generation AI tools on their CVs, with particularly strong uptake of ChatGPT. Women are clearly on the forefront of integrating ChatGPT into their work life. 60% of candidates listing ChatGPT to their CV profile are female.
Machine learning and robotic process automation: Male professionals continue to dominate machine learning and robotic process automation, in line with higher representation of men in the IT sector. Nonetheless, the data reveals promising growth in female participation across both disciplines. Over the past three years, the proportion of women adding machine learning skills to their CVs increased from 20% to 24%, while female representation jumped from 27% to 39% in robotic process automation.
General AI capabilities: Unlike the rapid growth seen in specialised AI disciplines, female representation in general AI capabilities has remained relatively stable over the past three years. Women currently account for approximately 39% of professionals listing general AI skills on their CVs.
AI job trends: Where are women building AI careers?
While AI expertise is becoming increasingly valuable in both technical and business-focused roles, Pnet’s data highlights three occupations where women are embracing AI to enhance their professional capabilities.
Data Scientist: Women currently account for approximately 31% of Data Scientists listing AI capabilities on their CVs. While men continue to dominate this highly specialised field, the data points to a growing pipeline of female AI talent entering advanced data and analytics roles.
Executive, Virtual or Personal Assistant: AI is transforming administrative professions by automating routine tasks and improving productivity. Among Executive, Virtual and Personal Assistants who list AI capabilities such as ChatGPT and other general AI tools on their CVs, women account for an overwhelming 96%.
Software Developer: Software Development is one of the most AI-intensive occupations, with capabilities in machine learning and natural language processing becoming increasingly valuable. Women currently represent 21% of Software Developers listing AI capabilities on their CVs. The growing number of female developers acquiring AI expertise reflects progress in one of the technology sector's most in-demand career paths.
The Pnet perspective
“AI is rapidly reshaping the skills that employers value most, and Pnet's data suggests that South African women are responding by embracing AI capabilities at an encouraging pace,” says Bates. “Our data highlights the diverse ways in which AI is being integrated into the workplace and the growing role women are playing in shaping its practical application.”
For employers, the findings reinforce the importance of investing in diverse AI talent and creating opportunities for continuous skills development across all functions of the business. For professionals, AI capabilities are quickly becoming a core workplace competency rather than a specialist technical skill.
