What you probably already know: Women in leadership positions tend to possess higher confidence, tech-savviness and corporate agility than their male counterparts. The 2026 AlixPartners Disruption Index, in a survey of more than 3,200 global executives across 11 countries, found that women are far more likely to view AI as an engine for growth rather than a cost-cutting tool, are more confident in navigating the pace of change and are much more positive about remote work. Women say they feel less anxiety in their roles than men and are more likely to say their organization is “cutting edge” in AI understanding and adoption.
Why it matters: “What strikes me most is the quality of the approach that women leaders are bringing to AI transformation,” says Vivienne Artz, CEO of the FTSE Women Leaders Review. FTSE stands for Financial Times Stock Exchange, the United Kingdom’s equivalent of the New York Stock Exchange. “Not dazzled by the technology, not paralyzed by its implications, but focused on what AI can actually deliver for the business. That kind of grounded pragmatism is exactly what this moment demands.” Women leaders are also more likely to say they’re “extremely optimistic” about the potential of AI to transform their organizations. Thirty-seven percent say they expect significant revenue growth this year compared to only 24% of men.
What it means: The findings are “both encouraging and urgent,” says Kathryn Britten, partner and managing director at AlixPartners, a New York City-based financial advisory and global consulting firm. She notes that women possess the exact qualities that matter most in a shifting marketplace, including reading risk accurately and building influence. “What stands out is women leaders’ confidence. In my view, their approach is steadier. They are also willing to ask for help to acknowledge what they do not know and to adapt incrementally. That is not uncertainty. That is wisdom.”
What happens next: Women remain underrepresented in technology, holding 36% of leadership positions across FTSE 350 companies but only 8% of CEO roles. Women account for just 28% of the global STEM workforce, and the report notes it will take 123 years at the current rate of progress to reach full gender parity. “These statistics demand sustained efforts from organizations to attract, retain and promote women in leadership and STEM roles,” the report notes. “What will be the cost to businesses that do not have women at the heart of their AI transformation?”
Tomorrow: Meet some of the leaders on The 100 Women in AI list.
