AI for Us: Working to close the gender gap in AI usage

Throughout February and March, we were thrilled to host HumbleAI's 'AI for Us' workshops. A group of diverse women from different backgrounds, specialisms and careers came together to learn to use AI tools to skyrocket their ideas.

Lead by Mahdi Shariff (described by one participant as the 'AI Wizard'), the program addressed the gender gap in AI usage. Women are 25% less likely to adopt generative AI tools than men, and this gap could lead to them being left behind. Over four sessions, participants learned how different AI models can be used to different results. They built their confidence in creating effective prompts and took things even further, using AI to build tools that aligned with their goals. The results were just as amazing and diverse as the women taking part. We saw participants creating colouring books that shared their cultural heritage with the next generation, campaign posters that made their way into local newspapers, and interactive art works that considered the impacts of war.

The AI for Us cohort

Beyond the technical skills, what made AI for Us so special was the environment it fostered. Each session became a space for curiosity and collaboration where questions were welcomed and learning happened together. By the final session, participants were critically engaging with AI, thinking about creativity and the real-world impact of their work.

Initiatives like this matter because they create access and agency. When women are given the space to explore AI on their own terms, we start to see new ideas and new narratives about who can shape technology and how it can be used. This is about building confidence, representation, and community in a rapidly changing world.

AI for Us reminded us all that the future of AI is something we can actively shape, but only if we keep listening to diverse voices.