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Is Using AI Cheating?

Many women over 50 feel hesitant about using AI, not because they can't but because they worry it might take away from their value. This post explores where that fear comes from, why it matters, and how using AI can actually support your legacy, not replace it.

Ulrika Torquato | The Wonder Over 50

3/26/20254 min read

Is Using AI Cheating?

In the last couple of years, AI has become the topic: in work, business, education, everywhere.
Some people love it. Some feel overwhelmed. But one thing’s for sure: it’s not going away.

And yet, many women over 50 still feel unsure about it.
Not uninterested. Not incapable. Just… hesitant.
And that hesitation is worth exploring.

It’s well known that for many, AI brings up real concerns:

- Is it replacing genuine human skills?
- Is my information safe?
- Will I even understand how to use it?

These are all valid questions, and honestly, if you truly don’t want to explore AI, you don’t have to.
But if you look a little closer, there can be something deeper behind those concerns.

I read a recent study from Harvard that found women use AI 25% less than men. That’s a big gap.
When asked why, many women said they were afraid of seeming less skilled.
Afraid that if they used a tool like ChatGPT, people would think they didn’t do the work themselves.

As researcher Koning said:
"Even when women get the answer right, they’re afraid others will think they cheated."

Let that sink in.

This isn’t just about AI.
It’s about how women are still being judged.
About how hard we’ve worked to prove we’re capable, professional, and serious.
And how quickly that can be questioned by one tool that offers us… ease.

The Deeper Story

If you’ve spent decades showing your value through hard work, it’s no surprise that ease can feel suspicious.
We’ve been taught that effort means value. That working harder means being taken seriously.

So when something comes along that makes things faster, easier, more efficient:
- It can feel wrong.
- It can bring guilt.
- It can make you wonder if you’ve really earned what you’re charging for your work.

And that goes deeper than just mindset.

This is about old survival habits, ways of living and thinking that shaped us.

Many of us grew up believing that to be taken seriously, we had to handle everything ourselves, without asking for help.

We also learned that money had to be earned through visible effort, hours of work and a lot of energy spent.

So when something makes that process smoother, like AI, it can feel like we're not doing enough.

But here’s the truth:
People don’t pay you for how tired you are.
They pay for clarity, experience, results.
And if AI helps you get there faster, that’s a good thing.

Why This Matters Beyond You

If women hold back from using AI, they don’t just risk falling behind.
They risk being left out of the conversation.

And when women’s voices aren’t part of shaping the tools of the future, those tools can end up repeating the same old unfair systems.

We don’t just need women using AI.
We need women helping to shape it, with our voices, our questions, and our ideas.
Because the more diverse the input, the better the technology becomes.

So if AI makes you nervous, I get it.
But maybe this isn’t just about learning a new tool.
Maybe it’s about letting go of the belief that struggle is the only way to succeed.

Three Simple Steps to Get Started

If you’re curious but unsure where to begin, start here:

Step 1: Notice what’s really behind your hesitation.

Are you afraid of the tech? Or are you afraid of letting things be easier?
That second one? It’s not weakness, it’s just an old story that helped you survive.
Just notice it. No judgment. That’s the first step to shifting it.

Step 2: Start with something simple.

You don’t need to master every AI tool or become an expert overnight.
Pick one thing. Try ChatGPT for brainstorming. Use it to reword something you’ve written. Let it help you organize your ideas or outline a workshop.

Give yourself permission to experiment.

And if you're not sure where to begin, I’ve created a simple guide called the Make AI Work for You bundle. It can be a good starting point.

Step 3: Price your work for impact, not effort.

If AI helps you finish faster, that doesn’t make your work worth less.
It makes it more focused, more clear, and more powerful.

Don’t add extra work just to feel like you earned it.
You’ve already earned it — with your wisdom and your experience.

Final Thoughts

AI isn’t the threat.
Money isn’t the issue.
The real challenge is separating your worth from how much you struggle.

The world is changing.
And part of claiming your legacy — especially after 50 — is being open to new tools, new ways of thinking, and new ways of working that match who you are now.

Choose support. Choose ease.

Your voice, your creativity, and your leadership matter now more than ever, because you are The Wonder Over 50!

If you're ready to overcome hesitation, the Make AI Work for You - a Beginner's Guide, will help you go from beginner to confident user, streamlining your work and creativity with ease.

Or, if hidden money blocks are keeping you stuck, a Money Story Reset can help you break free and step into new possibilities.

With love,
Ulrika

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