- This International Women’s Day, women are at risk of being left behind as the tech world rapidly changes
- More than 1 in 3 Australian mums and half of grandmothers are unsure how to tell GenAI from real – higher rates than men
- Research points to a digital gender divide for many Australian women with the rise of GenAI
4 March 2026
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Good Things Australia’s research reveals that there is a worrying AI gender divide in Australia.
A national study of 2,000 Australians found that as AI rapidly reshapes our digital world, women need more support to feel confident and safe online.
One in three Australian women say they struggle to tell AI-generated content from real, a higher rate than men. This difference is more significant for some women, with mums (39%), grandmothers (49%), women with disability (40%) and culturally and linguistically diverse women (35%), all saying they are unsure how to do this – higher rates than their male counterparts.
The study found that people of all walks of life are finding it difficult to keep up with AI. One in four Australians say they struggle using AI tools and apps. One in three grandparents and 27% of mothers and parents report having this difficulty, alongside 27% of culturally and linguistically diverse women and 29% of women with disability.
The research also shows women are less likely than men to turn to AI for help when something goes wrong, with this reluctance even more pronounced among mums and grandmothers.
Jess Wilson, CEO of Good Things Australia, says the widespread adoption of generative AI is accelerating digital change at an unprecedented pace. This can feel overwhelming for many women, particularly those already facing barriers to equal participation in work, learning and community life.
“We know mums and grandmas are important figures in family life, and it is concerning that the research shows they are more likely to struggle to keep up with emerging tech,” says Jess Wilson, CEO of Good Things Australia.
“Our research also shows that mums are more likely than dads, to be worried about how their kids are using technology and if they are safe online, so it is important for us to support these women to build their digital skills and confidence.”
It is not just the rise of AI that is causing a digital gender divide in Australia:
Overall, 12% of women said they feel overwhelmed by technology and are unsure where to begin, compared to 10% of men. This rises to more than one in five women with disability (22%) and nearly one in five culturally and linguistically diverse women (18%).
Good Things’ Digital Sisters and AI for Good programs support beginners to learn digital skills, including AI essentials. From learning to access government services, to avoiding scams and supporting their kids to stay safe online the programs are designed to be welcoming, practical and supportive places to learn.
“Free digital skills programs delivered by community organisations can make a real difference in the lives of women at risk of being left behind in the digital world. At Good Things we have seen 5,000 refugee and migrant women benefit from such support through our Digital Sisters program, with long reaching impacts including boosted social connections and everyday independence,” says Jess.
Rosemary Kajivora, digital mentor at Arise Women Support Association in Queensland sees the impact closing the digital gender divide can make first hand.
“When you see those ladies smile – or hear about the amazing cover letter that ChatGPT helped them write – that makes you really happy!” says Rosemary.
Ester, one of Rosemary’s learners, agrees that learning essential digital skills and AI literacy was incredibly beneficial for her and her family. “It was amazing, learning how to use Google Translate and online searches – and then Rosemary [the mentor] took me straight into the NDIS portal,” says Ester.
“I’m now working remotely for a support organisation, I’m talking to my family in South Sudan on Zoom, and I’m sending regular emails to my kids’ teachers,” she says.
Closing the digital gender divide doesn’t just support social inclusion, it makes economic sense.
Globally, closing the digital gender divide would add $1.5 trillion into the global economy by 2030 (UN Women, 2025). In Australia alone, the economic impact of closing the digital divide for all is conservatively estimated to add nearly half a billion dollars to the economy every year.
“Supporting women to build the confidence and capability to navigate rapid technological change and stay safer online does more than close the digital divide, it creates a ripple effect across families, workplaces and communities,” says Jess.
“I saw first hand the potential for AI to be used for good and support the digital gender divide to be closed not just in Australia, but across the Asia Pacific region at the recent India AI Impact Summit 2026. Australia has the opportunity to work with our regional neighbours, not only ensuring that women are using AI, but that women’s perspectives shape AI system research, development and governance.”
Women can visit goodthingsaustralia.org or call 1300 795 897 to find free digital skills support near them.
Media contact: Cass Strakosch, 0473 000 408
About the Research & Citations
The ‘Australian Attitudes to Getting Online 2025’ research by Good Things Australia was carried out on a national representative sample of 2,012 Australians aged 18 and over in August 2025. Methodology: The data sample was weighted against ABS data for age, gender and location using an online survey that is independently conducted and verified by PureProfile.
Learn more
Find out more about the Good Things we do: