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Academic Journal of Innovative Engineering and Technology

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HomeAJIET Vol. 14, No. 2 THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PROMOTING …
📄 Research Article AJIET Vol. 14, No. 2 (2026)

THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PROMOTING GENDER-INCLUSIVE INNOVATION IN COLOMBIAN SMES

Catalina Valentina Herrera Muñoz
Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology, Universidad Del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
Academic Journal of Innovative Engineering and Technology, Vol. 14, No. 2 (2026), pp. 20-34 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20183883
Open Access Peer Reviewed Research Article

Abstract

This study analyzes the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Colombian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a process of social innovation. Using exploratory quantitative methodology, a validated survey was administered to 945 SMEs across eight cities, examining sociodemographic, motivational, and organizational variables. The observed patterns show a technological democratization process: 36.4% of SMEs use AI with equitable gender distribution (women 47.3%, men 48.8%, p=0.53), indicating reduction of historical digital divides in the study group. The key democratization factors identified were accessibility (59%) and perceived usefulness (51%), with high penetration in microenterprises (52.9%). Technological dependence was associated with organizational factors (exposure time ρ=0.296, p<0.01; digital maturity) rather than demographic characteristics, suggesting responsible management through universal policies. Results suggest that equitable AI adoption may represent significant social innovation that democratizes technological access and reduces competitive inequalities, although non-probability sampling limitations restrict generalization of results beyond the analyzed enterprises.
Keywords: ["Artificial intelligence","SMEs","Gender","Innovation adoption","Digital divide"]
📑 How to Cite This Article
APA 7th Edition:
Catalina Valentina Herrera Muñoz (2026). THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PROMOTING GENDER-INCLUSIVE INNOVATION IN COLOMBIAN SMES. Academic Journal of Innovative Engineering and Technology, 14(2), 20-34. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20183883
Vancouver Style:
Catalina Valentina Herrera Muñoz. THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PROMOTING GENDER-INCLUSIVE INNOVATION IN COLOMBIAN SMES. Acad. J. Innov. Eng. Technol.. 2026;14(2):20-34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20183883
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