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Women working in technology are becoming increasingly confident in their AI skills, yet many feel that greater productivity expectations are adding to workplace pressure, according to research from managed services provider Ensono.
The company’s 2026 Speak Up report, based on a survey of 1,500 women working in technology across the UK, US and India, found that 70% now rate their generative AI knowledge as advanced or expert. The proportion describing themselves as AI experts has doubled since 2024.
While AI is widely viewed as beneficial, the research suggests the technology is also affecting expectations around workload. More than four in ten respondents said they are expected to produce more work in less time because of AI, while 43% reported feeling pressure to continually develop new skills to remain competitive.
The findings come as many organisations continue to refine both AI strategies and workplace policies. Ensono found that 53% of respondents are now required to spend more time in the office than they were a year ago, with 92% agreeing that in-person visibility plays an important role in career progression.
However, the research indicates that increased office attendance can create challenges for women balancing professional and personal responsibilities. Nearly half of respondents identified caregiving commitments as their biggest challenge related to in-person working.
Burnout also remains a significant issue. According to the survey, 87% of women in technology experience some level of burnout, while 60% describe themselves as moderately, very or extremely burned out.
Despite those pressures, the report suggests career ambition remains strong. More than 80% of participants said they aspire to reach executive leadership positions. At the same time, women are increasingly defining career success in broader terms. Building skills and expertise and maintaining work-life balance were among the priorities most likely to have grown in importance over the past year.
The study also points to a growing appetite for technical career paths. Among respondents who are not pursuing executive roles, preference for hands-on technical work increased compared with the previous year’s findings, highlighting the importance of progression routes that reward technical expertise as well as management responsibility.
According to Ensono, organisations seeking to retain and develop talent should focus on ensuring that AI-driven productivity gains are accompanied by realistic expectations, flexibility and opportunities for ongoing learning.