Coursera has released its ‘Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills’ playbook, a resource aimed at addressing the gender gap in Generative AI (GenAI) skills.
The playbook explores actionable strategies to empower more women to harness GenAI, highlighting the critical need for continued efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable AI landscape.
Singapore is emerging as a global leader in AI adoption, yet women remain underrepresented in this rapidly growing field. Coursera data reveals that while women constitute 45% of all learners in Singapore, they account for just 32% of GenAI enrollments on the platform – similar to the global trend where women represent 32% of total GenAI enrollments.
Singapore currently ranks 14th globally in GenAI enrollments among women learners, emphasizing the need for more targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to GenAI opportunities and enable more women to lead in the AI-driven era.
Despite this disparity, interest in AI skills across Singapore continues to rise. In 2024, women enrollments in GenAI courses surged by 253%, outpacing the 168% growth rate among men.
Encouraging more women to participate in AI will not only drive inclusivity but also ensure that diverse perspectives contribute to the development and application of this transformative technology.
In 2024, Coursera recorded a 240% YoY increase in GenAI enrollments from Singaporean learners, encouraging learners to utilize their SkillsFuture credit for a Coursera subscription that offers a vast catalog of high-quality courses and micro-credentials.
Coursera’s playbook highlights key barriers limiting women’s participation in GenAI, along with strategies to bridge the gap, including:
- Confidence gaps reduce persistence: Women often hesitate to engage in GenAI courses due to self-doubt, even when they have the skills. On Coursera, they are six times more likely to enroll in beginner-level courses than intermediate ones, favoring structured and accessible entry-points.
However, Singaporean women are breaking this mold, where Coursera data reveals that the top 10 GenAI courses are identical for both men and women, reflecting a mix of introductory and advanced courses. This signals a positive start towards narrowing the divide between men and women. - Limited time and unclear guidelines hinder skill adoption: Many women cite “lack of time” as their top reason for discontinuing STEM courses, reflecting the reality of balancing caregiving and work responsibilities. A BCG report shows that while 38% of Singaporean women hold a tech-related university degree, only 25% of entry and executive-level applicants were women.
The number further falls to 17% at the manager-level band, underscoring the discrepancy in making the jump from formal education to the tech workforce. Expanding flexible, employer-backed upskilling, and increasing early exposure to technology-related degrees can drive higher participation among women. - Perceived lack of relevance: Many women hesitate to upskill in GenAI due to uncertainty about its real-world applications. They engage more when GenAI is linked to practical fields like healthcare, education, and creative industries. Real-world case studies, interdisciplinary AI courses, and applied learning programs can make AI more accessible and career-aligned.
- Lack of female role models limits engagement and retention: Fewer women in AI leadership and education discourage participation. Oxford Academy research shows that more female STEM teachers in high school increase the likelihood of women graduating with STEM degrees.
Coursera data reveals that STEM courses with at least one female instructor attract 7% higher female enrollment on average. While Singapore’s rise in female STEM participation from 30% in 2019 to 35% in 2024 is driven by multiple factors, it signals promising progress in narrowing the gender gap.
Increasing women educators, AI mentors, and industry role models will be key to sustaining long-term engagement in GenAI careers.
“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,” said Karine Allouche, Global Head of Enterprise at Coursera.
“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.”