Empowering Women through AI and the Gig Economy: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Implications

Abstract

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in gig economy platforms is changing employment as we know it. For many women, this shift brings a mix of opportunities yet pressing challenges. This research examines the relationship between AI-enabled gig work and women’s economic empowerment by conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) of 48 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2024. Using feminist political economy, this research investigates how technology and platform design sometimes interest with gender inequality. The review revealed five key themes: economic flexibility and empowerment, algorithmic bias, wage inequality, job instability, and digital marginalization. While gig platforms offer women a novel outlet for income and autonomy, especially for women facing limited access to formal jobs, many also reinforce pre-existing social and economic inequalities through algorithms, insecure working conditions, and technological exclusion. This research concludes with a call for gender-responsive policies and ethical platform design to enable women to utilize these platforms effectively as AI and gig-based economies are continuing to reshape the nature of work.