Gender Differences in AI Literacy Workshop Outcomes and Deepfake Engagement

Female students showed greater gains from AI literacy training: Post-workshop, female students demonstrated "wider conceptual understanding, greater confidence, and meaningful increases in AI and CS career interest," suggesting that targeted AI education interventions may be particularly effective at engaging girls in STEM fields and narrowing pre-existing gender gaps.

Male students engage more with deepfake creation and sharing: The study found that "males were significantly more likely to have created or shared deepfake content," indicating a need for gender-specific safety education that addresses how different groups interact with potentially harmful AI applications.

Female students already use AI tools more practically for schoolwork: Before the workshop, female students "were significantly more likely to use AI for schoolwork and to seek advice from AI tools," suggesting girls may benefit from guidance on responsible and critical use of AI rather than introductory exposure alone.

Even brief interventions can shift career aspirations: A single one-day workshop produced measurable improvements in both genders' AI knowledge and "meaningful increases in AI and CS career interest" among female students, demonstrating that well-designed AI literacy programs don't require extensive time commitments to create impact.

Gender-responsive curriculum design is essential for equity: The research highlights that "gender-differentiated patterns" in how students engage with AI tools and content mean that one-size-fits-all AI education may inadvertently reinforce existing STEM gender gaps rather than close them.