Women Entrepreneurs Benefit More From AI Despite Lower Adoption

Men are more likely than women to leverage artificial intelligence when launching or running a business, but female entrepreneurs who embrace the technology are more likely to see a productivity boost. A new study by online HR services provider Gusto found that 64% of men leveraged AI to launch a business in 2025, compared to 56% of women. Men were also more inclined to use AI for developing business ideas, building or testing products and services, setting up operations, and managing administrative or legal tasks. An earlier Gusto study from 2025 indicated that entrepreneurs adopting AI outperform those who do not, with 80% of small businesses using AI reporting productivity increases of 20% or more.

Despite adopting AI at lower rates, women entrepreneurs who did use the technology were more likely to experience its benefits. The latest Gusto study shows that 54% of women who use AI reported that the technology made it easier and cheaper to launch their business, compared to 47% of male entrepreneurs. Gusto senior economist Nich Tremper noted that while there is a discrepancy in the share of men and women starting businesses with AI, the gap reverses when examining who benefits from AI use, with women reporting greater efficiency gains.

While the Gusto data does not definitively explain why female entrepreneurs use AI less but benefit more, Tremper suggests the findings align with broader studies indicating higher AI adoption rates among men. He posits that individuals not using AI in their personal or professional lives may be less likely to turn to it for high-risk endeavors like starting a business. The study implies that users tend to adopt tools they are already familiar with, suggesting a potential barrier for women entrepreneurs in AI adoption, even as they demonstrate a higher return on investment when they do engage with the technology.