Gender stereotypes cloud AI skill perception among leaders, study says

Confidence among women in leadership roles is improving globally, but gender stereotypes continue to distort perceptions of critical future skills such as AI, innovation, and data analysis, according to a new research brief from Capgemini.

The report, Gender and Leadership: Navigating Bias, Opportunity and Change, released last week by the Capgemini Research Institute, found that both male and female leaders broadly recognize each other’s effectiveness, with 77% of respondents saying women are as capable as men in leadership roles.

But when it comes to technical skills considered vital for the future, such as artificial intelligence and automation, men are more likely to view them as “inherently masculine.”

This perception gap risks reinforcing existing biases and may slow progress on gender parity in leadership, Capgemini said.

The study, which surveyed 2,750 senior leaders across 11 countries and 10 sectors, found that while self-confidence levels between genders are nearly equal as 58% of women and 59% of men cited confidence as a key strength, deep-rooted associations of masculinity with AI, agility, and innovation persist, especially among male respondents.

For instance, nearly half of male leaders viewed AI and automation as masculine skills. In contrast, a significant share of women regarded these same capabilities as gender-neutral, with 36% even identifying innovation as “inherently feminine.”

Despite these biases, both men and women agreed on the importance of technical fluency. Three-quarters of all leaders said proficiency in AI will be critical for advancement into future leadership roles. Yet fewer than half of respondents, at 45% of women and 47% of men, considered AI and automation a current personal strength, suggesting a skills gap that spans genders but is perceived differently.

“As technologies such as AI continue to disrupt the current business environment, leaders regardless of their gender must equip themselves with skills to navigate and shape the future of their function,” said Sarika Naik, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at Capgemini and member of the Group Executive Committee. “It is crucial to recognize that gender stereotypes distort perceptions of leadership skills and consequently influence career progression for male and female executives.”

Naik added that organizations need targeted interventions to build inclusive leadership cultures, especially as gender-coded views on technical capabilities risk deepening the leadership gap.

Bias Extends Beyond Skills

The report also highlighted systemic issues around pay, promotion, and leadership opportunities. Over half of the women surveyed (53%) reported experiencing negative bias in compensation due to their gender. By contrast, 40% of men said they had likely benefited from a gender-based pay advantage.

Only 52% of respondents believed men and women have equal access to promotions in their current organizations. Further, 39% agreed that qualified women are often overlooked for leadership roles, a finding that underscores lingering inequities despite formal commitments to diversity and inclusion.

The impact of gender bias was not limited to women. Nearly 38% of male leaders cited poor work-life balance as a barrier to career advancement, suggesting that rigid leadership models continue to create structural challenges across the board.

Gendered Lens

The report’s findings reflect a broader tension between evolving workplace dynamics and legacy perceptions of leadership.

While overall sentiment around women in leadership is positive, with 68% of all respondents saying increased female representation improves business performance, gender-based assumptions around which skills “belong” to whom could shape how leadership pipelines are built in the years ahead.

Capgemini’s research suggests that without deliberate and data-informed training, such perceptions may influence hiring, mentoring, and succession planning, particularly in functions increasingly defined by technical expertise.