Hey fellas! I've been reading this sub for a couple months and it's great to have in my life. I've been ruminating on the gender divide for a few years and have been formulating a series of novels for a few years that feature gender and sexuality heavily in their themes. I am thinking that several of the novels will take place far in the future, and I am hoping to get some help with the world building, if anyone has the free time or interest.

My question to you is this: What series of events could lead to a world with little to no women left? What would that world look like?

I have several ideas of my own, but I'd like to hear what you all have to say about it and see if that doesn't spark anything for me creatively.

For a little bit of context, if that's entirely too broad of a question, the narrative revolves around a young man who repurposes a limited A.I., illegally, into a strong A.I. so that he can develop a romantic relationship with it. He lives in a world without strong gender roles for the proles, while the very few at the top maintain their gender and sexual identity, but behind closed doors for the most part and behind a veil of propoganda.

He sees no other way to have this romantic experience that he desires, and is willing to face the heavy penalties and threats of violence his society imposes on those who violate the laws governing artificial intelligence. Population size and reproduction are heavily regulated, and only the richest of the rich can afford a "natural" birth.

I am thinking, primarily, that the few women left would leverage their minority status to maintain positions high in society, controlling those below them and their closest male progeny/those they find most useful. They reach almost mythical status in that most people never even SEE a woman in their lifetime.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts/reactions!

EDIT: GRAMMAR