Kuala Lumpur – Coursera, a leading online learning platform, has released its ‘Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills’ playbook, a new 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.
Malaysia is witnessing a rapid surge in GenAI adoption, yet women remain significantly underrepresented in this evolving field. Coursera data shows that while women constitute 46% of all learners in Malaysia, they make up just 33% share of GenAI enrollments, which closely aligns with the global trend where women represent 32% of total GenAI enrollments. Malaysia currently ranks 31st 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, there is a growing interest among Malaysian women to upskill themselves in GenAI. In 2024, women enrollments in GenAI surged by 459%, outpacing the 287% 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.
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. This trend is mirrored in Malaysia, where the most popular GenAI courses among women are introductory.
- 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 states that only 43% Malaysian women are exposed to technology before university and 53% women employed in the tech workforce are keen to shift to non-technical roles.
- 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. Globally, women use Coursera Coach 11% more than men, benefiting from guided AI learning and personalized recommendations.
- 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 increases 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 Malaysia’s rise in female STEM participation from 29% in 2019 to 35% in 2024, on Coursera, 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 Malaysia 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.”
Coursera’s insights are designed to equip institutions, individuals, and governments with strategies to allow women to thrive in the rapidly evolving field of GenAI. The ‘Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills’ playbook can be found here.
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