In an era characterized by rapid technological advancement, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of our working lives has become imperative to drive innovation and maximize efficiency.
A recent EY 2023 Reinvented Work Survey found that 84% of Malaysians, compared to 67% globally, believe AI will significantly change the way they work, providing more flexibility. Additionally, 96% of Malaysians, compared to 84% globally, are using AI now or plan to do so within a year.
As AI continues to reshape industries and redefine the nature of work, it is crucial that individuals, regardless of gender, stay ahead of the curve. However, this imperative is particularly pronounced for women due to the disproportionate potential impact of AI on their employment. A recent UN report study warns that women are disproportionately at risk of having their jobs automated by AI, with more than twice the proportion of men’s jobs potentially at risk from automation. This highlights the urgency for women to start upskilling in order to build a career path that evolves with AI, rather than being automated by it.
Interest in AI skills development is growing
Amid growing employment uncertainty, it is heartening to see a significant increase in female enrollments on courses such as “AI for everyone“. In Malaysia, enrollment among female learners increased by 120% in 2023 compared to the previous year. It is encouraging to see that women are showing keen interest in understanding the technology that will radically change their work.
Coursera data also shows that Malaysian women are looking to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to arming themselves with in-demand skills – such as generative AI, data and UX design – to meet demands changing workplace. Google’s job-relevant courses remain the most popular among Malaysian female learners, accounting for 14 of the top 20 courses in 2023.
The three most popular courses among Malaysian women are those from Google Foundations: data, data everywhere, Fundamentals of Digital Marketing and EcommerceAnd Fundamentals of Project Management.
As the job market constantly evolves, driven by digitalization and automation, it is positive to see women recognizing the value of earning online certifications and micro-credentials for skills related to employment. Online learning offers an accessible and flexible pathway to accelerate women’s career progression, but it’s just as important to build a network and profile. Seeking mentorship to guide progress, championing challenging projects to showcase their abilities, and creating networks to connect with like-minded professionals are all ways women can prepare themselves for success and stability.
Women at the forefront of the AI era
Upskilling and developing AI skills can also enable women to contribute to various AI development teams. This diversity can play a central role in breaking down the gender bias innate to AI that can occur in algorithm development processes, dataset training, and AI-generated decision making.
Unfortunately, women only do makeup 28% professionals from the technology industry. However, this offers immense potential to increase female representation to contribute to the AI revolution. By identifying the right career advancement opportunities, adopting a culture of continuous learning, and earning certifications and micro-credentials online, women can become leaders in the AI-driven workforce .
There is no doubt that the wealth of employment opportunities within AI offers immense promise for women to thrive in this exciting and essential field. By charting their path, women are not only following the AI curve: they are also driving innovation and shaping the future of technology.
This article was written by Marni Baker Stein, Director of Content at Coursera.
