ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: THE ROLE OF AI AWARENESS, AI ADOPTION, AND PERCEIVED BENEFIT

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) awareness, AI adoption, and perceived benefits of AI on the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs. A structured questionnaire was administered to 280 women entrepreneurs across diverse business sectors, and data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The regression model explained 59% of the variance in economic empowerment (R² = 0.59, F(3, 276) = 132, p < .001). AI adoption (β = 0.345, p < .001) and perceived benefits of AI (β = 0.401, p < .001) emerged as significant predictors, while AI awareness did not reach statistical significance (β = 0.098, p = .095). The findings underscore the importance of moving beyond awareness to actual adoption and positive perception of AI as critical pathways for enhancing women’s economic empowerment. Implications for policymakers and support organizations are discussed.