AI as Social Innovation: A Gender Perspective in Colombian SMEs.

Hugo Alejandro Muñoz Bonilla; Miguel Alejandro  Espinosa-Rodríguez; Deivi David Fuentes-Doria

doi:10.4067/s0718-27242025000400019

Authors

Hugo Alejandro Muñoz Bonilla Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Bogotá, Colombia.
Miguel Alejandro Espinosa-Rodríguez Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Bogotá, Colombia.
Deivi David Fuentes-Doria Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Montería Córdoba, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-27242025000400019

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, SMEs, Gender, Innovation adoption, Digital divide

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.

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Author Biography

Hugo Alejandro Muñoz Bonilla, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Bogotá, Colombia.

Phd en Proyectos (Unini México, 2023), Maestría en Diseño, Gestión y Dirección de Proyectos (Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana), Maestria en gerencia de la innovación en proyectos (Uniminuto Colombia), Especialista en Gerencia de Proyectos, Uniminuto, Especialista en Gerencia Educativa, Uniminuto, Profesional Administrador de Empresas Unicatólica Cali Colombia. CVLAC: https://scienti.minciencias.gov.co/cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0000037641

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