Women Are Less Positive About AI

A Morgan Stanley poll finds a 31-point gap between men and women in net sentiment on AI, and the gap is widening.

Morgan Stanley’s late-September poll of 2,000 US consumers put men at +30 net sentiment on AI and women at −1, a 31-point gap. Women stood at +6 in April, so their sentiment has fallen 7 points while men’s has barely moved. Among respondents with negative views, 44% of women versus 36% of men did not want a data center near their home, and men were more likely to cite data privacy (49% versus 39%). The poll did not examine jobs.

Reported by: Axios, Oct. 8 (Morgan Stanley survey)

Norm's Take

Women are less positive about AI. That is not a messaging problem.

Before you try to win women over on AI, check:

  1. Who gets credit for AI useWomen who use AI are praised less (18% vs 27%). Segment reviews and promotions by gender.
  2. What happens to clerical and customer-facing rolesUncertainty widens the gap. Say plainly what changes and what does not.
  3. Data center siting as community risk44% of women with negative views do not want one near home, vs 36% of men.

One story a day, and the decision it puts in front of you.

Get Norm's Daily Brief

Analysis and opinion, not investment or legal advice. © 2026 Norm E. Murray. All Rights Reserved.

Found this useful? Share on LinkedIn →
Norm E. Murray, AI Leadership Advisor
About the author
Norm E. Murray
AI Leadership Advisor · Psychologist · Economist
Norm advises CEOs, boards and senior leaders on the psychology and economics of AI adoption: what AI does to leaders and organizations, not just what it does. He has led global businesses across multiple continents and writes The Norm Report for executives navigating the AI shift.
More about Norm →

Get Norm's Daily Brief

One story a day, and the decision it puts in front of you. Free, in your inbox.

Free. One email a day. Unsubscribe anytime with one click.

If something in this analysis bears on a decision you're facing, don't sit on it.

Speak with Norm

More From Norm's Edge

Norm’s Edge is analysis and opinion intended for senior executive and board-level audiences. It does not constitute legal, financial, investment, compliance or regulatory advice. Stories are drawn from third-party reporting that may be unconfirmed. Readers should seek independent professional counsel before making decisions based on any content published here. Norm E. Murray does not accept any liability for actions taken in reliance on this analysis.

© 2026 Norm E. Murray. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of the author.