McKinsey and LeanIn.Org’s latest Women in Workplace report reveals that only half of companies are prioritising women’s career advancement, part of a several-year trend in declining commitment to gender diversity and for the first time, there is a notable ambition gap: women are less interested in being promoted than men. It highlights that when women receive the same career support that men do, this gap in ambition to advance falls away, yet women at both ends of the pipeline are still held back by less sponsorship and manager advocacy. As AI continues to transform the workforce, the report emphasises that leaders must ensure that all employees, including women, have equal access to support, encouragement and the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving environment. By addressing bias in AI systems and intentionally investing in inclusive leadership, fairness and connection, companies can unlock the full potential of their people and the technology they adopt.