Despite Singapore’s rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), women remain underrepresented in the growing field of Generative AI (GenAI). A new playbook released by online learning platform Coursera, titled Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills, highlights key barriers limiting women’s participation and proposes strategies to address them.
Coursera’s data shows that while women make up 45% of learners in Singapore, they account for only 32% of GenAI enrollments – mirroring the global trend. Singapore currently ranks 14th worldwide in GenAI enrollments among women, signalling a need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to AI-related opportunities.
However, interest in AI among women is rising. In 2024, Coursera recorded a 253% increase in GenAI enrollments by women in Singapore, outpacing the 168% growth rate among men. Overall, GenAI enrollments from Singapore grew by 240% year-on-year, with learners increasingly using their SkillsFuture credits to access AI-related courses.
Addressing Key Barriers
The playbook identifies several challenges limiting women’s participation in GenAI and proposes solutions:
- Confidence Gaps: Women tend to hesitate in pursuing GenAI courses due to self-doubt, often enrolling in beginner-level courses over intermediate ones. However, Singapore bucks this trend, with men and women showing similar course preferences, reflecting a mix of introductory and advanced levels.
- Time Constraints: Many women struggle to balance learning with caregiving and work responsibilities, leading to lower participation in STEM careers. While 38% of Singaporean women hold a tech-related degree, only 25% apply for entry-level tech jobs, a figure that drops to 17% at the managerial level. More flexible upskilling opportunities and employer-backed programmes could help bridge this gap.
- Perceived Lack of Relevance: Women are more likely to engage with AI when its applications align with fields such as healthcare, education, and creative industries. Applied learning programmes and interdisciplinary AI courses could help make AI more accessible.
- Lack of Role Models: A shortage of women in AI leadership discourages female participation. Research suggests that having more female STEM educators increases women’s likelihood of pursuing STEM careers. While female STEM participation in Singapore has risen from 30% in 2019 to 35% in 2024, continued efforts are needed to sustain this progress.
Karine Allouche, Global Head of Enterprise at Coursera, stressed the urgency of addressing this disparity: “While Singapore has demonstrated an exceptional appetite to understand and harness GenAI technology, it is crucial for the country’s workforce development and international competitiveness that this appetite is shared equally. As the global race towards AI literacy intensifies, expanding opportunities for women in GenAI, equipping them with these critical skills, and empowering them to lead in the digital economy remains an urgent priority. By empowering more women, we can ensure AI is built by diverse voices, for the world.”
The Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills playbook is designed to guide institutions, governments, and individuals in fostering a more inclusive AI landscape.
