Why Women Can’t Afford to Miss the AI Revolution

Salt Lake City, Utah - August 29, 2025

On September 27, 2025, I’ll be hosting the Elavare Women’s Summit at Adobe’s Lehi building with one urgent message: women can’t afford to sit out the AI revolution.

For years, Elavare has focused on helping mothers and women re-entering the workforce with confidence. This year, our emphasis is clear—artificial intelligence. AI is already transforming how we work, and women who don’t adopt it risk being left behind.

Research confirms what many of us see every day. A Harvard Business School Working Knowledge article by Michael Blanding (dated February 20, 2025) highlights research from HBS Associate Professor Rembrand Koning and colleagues. Their study—drawing from 18 surveys and involving over 140,000 participants—found that women adopt AI tools (specifically generative AI) at work 25% less often than men on average. The gap isn’t due to ability but often stems from ethical concerns or fear of being judged for using AI “cheating.”

But the consequences go beyond optics. According to labor analytics firm Lightcast, jobs requiring AI skills pay nearly 30% more on average—close to $18,000 annually. And PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer shows the premium for AI-skilled workers has surged to 56%, more than double the year before. These skills aren’t just nice-to-have anymore; they’re the new baseline for competitive roles.

If women adopt AI more slowly than men, we risk having fewer female perspectives shaping how the next generation of AI systems function. That lack of representation could reinforce biases and limit how well AI serves women’s needs in the future.

For women returning to the workforce, especially mothers stepping back in after raising families, the stakes are even higher. Entry-level roles where women are overrepresented are the first to be reshaped—or replaced—by AI.

At the Elavare Summit, we’ll offer hands-on guidance to help women start using AI right away: crafting stronger resumes, preparing for interviews, automating job applications, and boosting productivity at work. Our mission is to make sure women build these skills before they land a job, so they enter the workforce prepared rather than playing catch-up.

The AI revolution is here and it isn’t slowing down. Companies are restructuring entire divisions around AI investments. Jobs are changing faster than ever. For women, particularly those eyeing a workforce re-entry, learning AI isn’t optional–it’s essential.

On September 27, the Elavare Summit won’t just talk about the problem. It will deliver the tools, training, and confidence women need to ensure they aren’t left behind in the AI economy.

Elavare is a mission-driven organization empowering mothers to confidently reenter the workforce after career breaks. Through free workshops, online courses, mentoring, coaching, and community support, they help women rediscover their strengths and navigate job transitions with clarity and confidence.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Elavare Foundation expands access by offering scholarships, free training, and community-led resources—especially for single mothers and underserved groups.

To learn more, visit Elavare.com. Click here to register for the September 27 Elevare Summit ($25).