Closing The Gap: How The Philippines Is Empowering Women in The GenAI Revolution

While artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries around the world, women remain significantly underrepresented in both its development and use—except in one unexpected standout: the Philippines.

With 818% growth in GenAI course enrollments in 2024, Filipino women are embracing the future of tech at an unprecedented pace. I Illustrator: ASK

Globally, a gender gap persists in the adoption of generative AI (GenAI). Women make up about 42% of web-based GenAI users and only 27% of app-based users.

Even in advanced economies like the United States and across Europe, women’s participation in GenAI continues to lag, despite signs of growth. In the U.S., for instance, women’s GenAI usage tripled from 2023 to 2024, with parity projected by the end of 2025.

In Southeast Asia, however, the Philippines is emerging as a global bright spot.

Recent data shows that Filipino women now comprise 38% of GenAI course enrollments—well above the global average of 32%.

In 2024 alone, enrollment by Filipino women surged by an impressive 818%, even surpassing the growth rate among men (765%).

This remarkable trajectory places the Philippines among the top 10 countries worldwide for women’s participation in GenAI learning, signaling its potential to lead in building an inclusive AI-powered future.

A Conducive Ecosystem for Inclusion

Several structural factors contribute to this trend.

The Philippine labor force enjoys relatively high female participation, particularly in sectors such as clerical work, customer service, education, and healthcare—roles that are increasingly being enhanced by GenAI tools.

“One of the most exciting shifts we’re seeing with generative AI is how it puts powerful tools into the hands of those who’ve historically been left out of the tech conversation,” says Claire San Juan-Tayco, CEO of CirroLytix, a social impact AI company. “You no longer need a high-spec laptop or a master’s in data science to benefit from AI.”

CirroLytix is currently exploring this potential through its DIWA project—a virtual teaching assistant co-developed with the Sandiwaan Center for Learning for Alternative Learning System (ALS) educators.

“Many ALS teachers are women, and they’re often overwhelmed and under-resourced,” she explains. “Tools like DIWA can help them plan more contextualized lessons and free up time for deeper engagement with their students.”

Still, barriers persist. Despite women representing more than half of all learners in the country, many gravitate toward beginner-level GenAI courses due to confidence gaps, limited early exposure to technology, and the weight of caregiving responsibilities.

Just 50% of Filipino women report having been exposed to technology prior to university—limiting their long-term engagement with AI tools.

Bridging the Divide: Policy and Private Sector Action

Encouragingly, both government and private sector leaders are taking concrete steps to close the gap. The Philippine government has committed to implementing gender-sensitive AI policies and workforce development programs.

Under the National AI Strategy Roadmap, data science and analytics training initiatives specifically targeting women are underway—backed by a broader push for responsible and inclusive AI governance.

Private sector players are also driving change. Microsoft, for example, has pledged to train 100,000 Filipino women in AI and cybersecurity—one of the country’s largest inclusion efforts to date.

Collaborations between tech firms, universities, and grassroots organizations are further expanding access to AI education and tools. At CirroLytix, inclusivity is more than a principle—it’s a product design imperative. “Many traditional AI programs are designed for coders and engineers,” Tayco says.

“But we know that some of the most transformative use cases for AI live in non-technical fields like education, HR, and communications—spaces historically led by women.”

To support this, CirroLytix develops GenAI workshops tailored to non-technical learners, especially women juggling multiple responsibilities.

“We create learning spaces where women can explore, experiment, and grow—without fear of failure or the pressure to be experts on day one,” Tayco adds.

The Way Forward: Enabling Inclusive GenAI Adoption

To sustain momentum and close the gender gap in GenAI, experts emphasize five key strategies:

First, broaden early exposure to technology. Encourage girls to pursue STEM pathways and create beginner-friendly GenAI courses that accommodate varied learning paces and life situations.

Second, amplify representation. Spotlight women as instructors, mentors, and leaders in AI. Visibility is a powerful catalyst for participation and long-term engagement.

Third, invest in confidence-building. “The confidence gap is real,” Tayco explains. “But it’s not about capability—it’s conditioning. We’re taught to wait until we’re 100% ready.

But confidence comes from doing.” CirroLytix encourages women to start small—by using AI for tasks they already manage. “You’re leading a team or a household? Use AI to simplify that work. Small wins build big momentum.”

Fourth, make learning relevant. GenAI education should be grounded in real-world applications in sectors where Filipino women are already active—like education, healthcare, and the creative industries.

Finally, promote flexible learning models. Institutional support and clear guidelines can empower women with caregiving duties or non-traditional work schedules to fully engage with AI opportunities.

Shaping the Region’s Future—With Intention

The Philippines isn’t just participating in the GenAI revolution—it’s shaping it. While other nations struggle to close long-standing gender gaps in AI, the Filipino experience offers a blueprint for inclusive innovation.

Still, real leadership requires more than numbers. “We need AI solutions that are community-driven—designed for barangays, not just boardrooms,” Tayco says. “That means tools that work offline, operate in local dialects, and reflect lived realities.”

For Tayco and other advocates, equity means more than access—it means ownership. “We need pathways for women and underserved communities to not only use AI but to shape its direction—through policy, training, and design.”

With GenAI still in its formative years, the window of opportunity is wide open. “If we act now—with clarity and collaboration—we won’t just ride the AI wave,” Tayco concludes. “We’ll help steer it. Toward innovation that’s inclusive by design, not by default.”