Closing the Gap For Women in AI.
Women are 22% less likely than men to use AI tools at work. CPAI is changing that through community events, focused programming, and grant-funded initiatives built specifically for women professionals.
The gender gap in AI isn't a pipeline problem. It's an access problem.
Research consistently shows that women are significantly less likely than men to adopt AI tools in their professional lives — not because of capability, but because of access, community, and confidence.
When AI reshapes entire industries, that gap becomes a gap in opportunity, influence, and economic security.
CPAI's Women's AI programming exists to close it — through community events, focused cohort experiences, and grant-funded initiatives designed specifically for women professionals across North Carolina.
less likely
Women are 22% less likely than men to use AI tools in their work, according to recent workforce research on AI adoption.
McKinsey & Company, "Women in the Workplace," 2024
This isn't a technology problem. It's an education and community problem — and it's exactly what CPAI was built to solve.
What CPAI Does for Women in AI
A combination of community events, focused programming, and partnerships designed to build confidence, skills, and community.
Closing the Gender Gap in AI Adoption
Research shows women are 22% less likely than men to use AI tools at work. CPAI's Women's AI programming directly addresses this disparity through accessible, community-grounded education.
Peer Community Learning
Events and programming designed specifically for women professionals create a space to learn alongside peers facing the same questions — without the pressure of technical gatekeeping.
Practical Confidence
Our focus is on building confidence and judgment, not technical credentials. Participants leave able to use, evaluate, and advocate around AI in their organizations and communities.
Employer & Community Partnerships
We partner with employers, universities, and nonprofits to bring Women's AI programming into the workplace and community — reducing barriers to access and reaching women where they already are.
What Participants Learn
Our Women's AI programming runs in two formats: drop-in community events (individual sessions, no commitment) and structured cohorts (the full 6-module arc below). Both cover the same core areas — cohorts go deeper.
AI Foundations
What AI actually is, how it works at a conceptual level, and where it's already showing up in your life and work.
AI Tools in Practice
Hands-on exploration of the tools most relevant to your field, from writing assistants to data analysis to image generation.
Critical Evaluation
How to assess AI outputs, identify hallucinations and bias, and develop judgment about when to trust an AI system.
AI Ethics & Equity
The social implications of AI, with a focus on impacts on women and underrepresented communities.
AI in Your Industry
Sector-specific sessions exploring how AI is changing healthcare, government, education, business, and more.
Your AI Action Plan
Synthesis: you define your AI learning path, identify opportunities in your work, and share with the group.
WIN AI Challenge — Aspen Institute
CPAI has applied to the Aspen Institute's WIN AI Challenge, a competitive grant program of up to $5,000,000 over three years supporting organizations working to close the gender gap in AI adoption and education.
Our proposal directly addresses two primary barriers: low AI adoption rates among women professionals and limited access to quality AI training. If awarded, grant funding would expand our cohort programming, launch community workshops in Title I school communities across North Carolina, and scale our Women's AI Education program statewide.
Stage 2 — Peer Review (in progress)
Application submitted January 28, 2026. CPAI advanced to Stage 2 in March 2026 and is currently undergoing peer review. Award decisions pending.
See What We Submitted
As part of our WIN Challenge application, we produced two videos introducing CPAI and our approach to closing the gender gap in AI.
Meet the CPAI Team
60-second introduction to the Center for Practical AI and the people behind our Women's AI work.
Our Solution to the Gender Gap in AI
90-second overview of how CPAI's programming directly addresses low AI adoption rates among women in the workforce.
For Organizations
Sponsor Women's AI Programming
Sponsoring CPAI's Women's AI programming directly funds seats and events for women professionals who otherwise wouldn't have access. Your organization gains visibility, community goodwill, and access to a growing network of AI-literate professionals.
Explore Sponsorship Options →Ready to Go Further?
The AI Proficiency Certification
Our community events and Women's AI programming build awareness and early competency. The APC is where you take it to full proficiency across six domains with a real capstone project and a credential.
Stay Connected
Interested in Women's AI Programming?
Cohorts form throughout the year. Drop us a note and we'll let you know when the next one opens — or join our newsletter for all CPAI updates.