Cherie Blair: Women's Distrust of AI Is Wise, But Better Use Exists

The Growing Role of AI in Women’s Entrepreneurship

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the landscape of business, and women entrepreneurs are increasingly embracing this technology. However, despite its potential, many women are still cautious about trusting AI due to its misuse, such as the creation of non-consensual sexualized images by platforms like Grok. Cherie Blair, a prominent barrister and wife of former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, has highlighted the importance of using AI not just for quick wins but for long-term growth.

According to research conducted by the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, AI use among women entrepreneurs in low and middle-income countries has more than doubled in a year, rising from 38% in 2024 to 82% in 2025. This significant increase shows that more women are beginning to see the value of AI in their businesses.

The foundation surveyed 3,000 female business owners in low and middle-income countries, which include over 100 nations identified by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The results revealed that 69% of women reported saving time as a key benefit of using AI, with around two-thirds of frequent users stating that it was primarily used for marketing activities.

However, the data also showed that fewer women were using AI for business operations, with only a third utilizing it for such purposes. Additionally, 35% applied AI to bookkeeping and finance. These findings suggest that while many women are experimenting with AI, they may not be fully leveraging its capabilities.

Cherie Blair emphasized that the “real story isn’t just about adoption, it’s about depth.” She pointed out that many women are using AI for quick wins in marketing and communication, but often lack the time, confidence, and support needed to integrate AI into their businesses effectively.

Blair also acknowledged the challenges women face when it comes to trust in AI. She noted that many women are hesitant to embrace AI because of its misuse, such as the creation of harmful content. “Women are not foolish in not trusting AI because their life experiences have told them that it can often be used in ways that are harmful to them,” she said.

Referring to Grok, the AI chatbot embedded in the social media platform X, Blair questioned why such programs were developed without considering the impact on individuals. “What possessed them to think that having these programmes that allowed you to undress pictures… did anyone pause to think about how that would feel for the person being treated that way?” she asked.

She also highlighted the broader issue of gender imbalance in the tech industry. “We have an industry that is mainly men… the internet is dominated by men, and a lot of it is dominated by pornography.” This imbalance contributes to the lack of consideration for the potential harm AI can cause to women.

In addition to these concerns, the survey found that almost all the women surveyed had care-giving responsibilities, including childcare, elderly care, emotional support, and household management. Many of those using AI to save time were likely using the saved time to handle additional domestic tasks or catch up on sleep.

Blair pointed out that those who already have access to time and resources are better positioned to move forward quickly. “What you find is that those who are already fortunate enough to have that time or those resources… they’re going to move forward more quickly than the ones that don’t.”

This highlights the need for greater support and education for women entrepreneurs to help them fully harness the power of AI. While the technology offers numerous benefits, it is essential to address the barriers that prevent women from using it to its fullest potential.