AI’s growing impact: Why women are stepping up in Boston

Boston has become a surprising hub for women taking charge of artificial intelligence. Unlike the usual tech-heavy cities, this one’s seeing groups where women—often sidelined in AI’s development—are learning to shape the technology instead of just being replaced by it. Research shows women hold just 22% of AI jobs globally and a tiny slice of leadership roles. Meanwhile, roles like admin assistants and cashiers—jobs held mostly by women—are the most likely to vanish thanks to AI. The push isn’t just about learning AI tools. Women in these groups want to understand the bigger picture: how AI affects jobs, ethics, and society. At one recent event, startup founders swapped tips on using AI to build websites without coding, while others demoed apps to design presentations in minutes. The goal? To avoid blindly handing AI the reins. For example, some AI medical tools have shown bias against Black patients because they were trained on flawed historical data. Clearer, more inclusive datasets could fix that—but someone has to demand it.Many women in these groups aren’t tech veterans. Some faced layoffs in other fields and turned to AI as a lifeline. Others are career-switchers who see opportunity in the chaos. The message is simple: adapt or get left behind. Hands-on workshops, hackathons, and Slack groups help members test tools like AI assistants that can automate tasks—carefully, so they don’t backfire. The movement got its start when two women, both with decades in tech, noticed others panicking about AI. They launched a group to “demystify” the tech, and within hours, nearly 2, 000 people signed up. Now, it’s a mix of virtual meetups, in-person networking, and even themed days like “Mastery Mondays. ” Another leader, who’s worked in AI since the 1970s, argues women can’t afford to stay on the sidelines—AI will touch every part of life, whether they’re part of building it or not.