Survey: From Fear to Force - AI and Women in the Workforce

AI brings up a lot for many of us, curiosity, hope, uncertainty, and sometimes real fear. All of that is valid, and BPW Canada wants to hear it. For our member-exclusive workshop on October 17, 2026, we developed this questionnaire to understand what's actually on the mind of business and professional women when it comes to AI. Your answers will directly inform where BPW Canada focuses its actions, in education and advocacy, on this issue.

What are the first three words that come to mind when you hear 'AI'?

What worries you most about AI?

How concerned are you about AI's impact on your work or livelihood?

What would hold you back from using AI more?

Not knowing where to start

Feeling like it's too complicated or technical for me

Can’t see how it would save me time or make life easier

Worried I'll look inexperienced or behind

Too much conflicting information out there

Not enough time

Other

Do you use AI and why or why not?

No, I'm not sure what they do

No, I don't know where to start

No, I don't think they're safe

Not really, I tried once or twice but couldn't come to grips with it

Yes, I try

Yes, but I can't see exactly how it would be useful

Yes, I use it for a specific application

Yes, I use them regularly, for many different applications

Other

Which of these feels most important for BPW to focus on for its members?

Helping women feel safer and more confident using AI professionally

Understanding the risks — privacy, security, misinformation

Advocating on how AI affects women's economic security and equity

Just understanding what AI can (and can't) do

All of the above

Other

Anything else you'd like BPW to know about your experience with, or concerns about, AI?

Which of the following best describes you?

Working professional

Entrepreneur / business owner

Retired / career transition

Other

Survey: From Fear to Force - AI and Women in the Workforce

What are the first three words that come to mind when you hear 'AI'?

What worries you most about AI?

How concerned are you about AI's impact on your work or livelihood?

What would hold you back from using AI more?

Do you use AI and why or why not?

Which of these feels most important for BPW to focus on for its members?

Anything else you'd like BPW to know about your experience with, or concerns about, AI?

Which of the following best describes you?

What is your age range?