Actress Reese Witherspoon has warned women that their jobs are three times more likely to be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) than men's, urging them to learn AI skills to avoid being left behind. In an Instagram post, she shared that only 3 out of 10 women in her book club used AI, and only one felt confident in her usage. Witherspoon cited a United Nations’ International Labour Organization and Poland’s National Research Institute report, which found that 9.6% of jobs traditionally held by women, such as secretarial and administrative roles, are at risk of automation, compared to 3.5% of men's jobs.
Witherspoon encouraged women to learn AI tools to stay competitive, stating, 'The AI revolution has begun, and I need to learn as much as I possibly can about AI and share it with all of you.' She also noted that women use AI at a rate 25% lower than men on average. The actress has previously advocated for women to embrace AI in interviews and public appearances.
While some fans and colleagues, including Ali Larter, supported Witherspoon's message, others, particularly authors, criticized her for promoting AI adoption without addressing its potential threats to creative industries. The debate highlights the growing divide over AI's impact on jobs and gender disparities in technology adoption.