A comprehensive report by venture capital firm Kalaari Capital, titled ‘Wired for Impact: Women in Ind(AI)’, reveals that women currently constitute only about 20% of India’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) workforce. However, projections suggest this number could nearly quadruple by 2027. The report highlights that while India leads globally in women’s participation in STEM education (43% of enrollments), this advantage diminishes in specialized fields like engineering and computer science, with women making up only 15% of students at top institutions like IITs and IIITs.
The AI sector in India is currently estimated to employ around 84,000 women. This figure is expected to climb to 3.4 lakh within the next three years, driven by increased accessibility to AI education and a growing industry demand. Despite this projected growth, the report cautions that an increase in numbers does not automatically translate to equal influence or representation in leadership positions. Women in the field are often concentrated in data-centric roles such as engineering and analytics, with fewer opportunities in core model development, product design, and senior leadership roles.
Pragya Misra, Head of Policy & Partnerships at OpenAI, emphasized the importance of diversity in AI development, stating, “AI can be the ultimate empowerment tool, but only if it’s built with everyone, not just for them. An AI developed by a homogenous group won’t just be biased; it will be blind to real-world challenges and opportunities. This is why we view diversity as the most essential form of quality control for an equitable and effective AI future.”
The gender disparity is also evident in India’s startup ecosystem, where only 10% of AI startups are founded by women. Furthermore, the report points out that among the top 24 most-funded AI startups, none are entirely led by women. Bansuri Swaraj, a Member of Parliament, commented on the nation’s progress, noting that while India is powered by both Artificial Intelligence and the Aspirational Indian, ensuring women are at the forefront of deep tech advancements is crucial. Leaving out half the population risks creating ‘artificial ignorance’ rather than true artificial intelligence.
Encouragingly, there are signs of progress. Enrollments by Indian women in generative AI courses saw a threefold increase in FY25, with AI and ML becoming a top career choice for women in tech, preferred by 41% of female students, slightly ahead of men at 37%. Kalika Bali, Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft, stressed the need for systemic changes, including early exposure to computational thinking for girls, increased funding for women-led AI research and startups, and ensuring women’s voices are included in policy and product design.
However, persistent challenges remain regarding pay and career progression. Approximately 40% of surveyed women reported unfair pay, and the gender pay gap widens significantly with seniority, reaching 16% in senior roles compared to 4% at entry-level positions. Many women are also reportedly excluded from high-profile projects that typically lead to promotions.
Initiatives like AI Kiran, a government-backed program aiming to train one million women in AI by 2028, are highlighted as crucial steps towards greater inclusivity. A spokesperson for AI Kiran stated, “Reaching that scale will take collective intent across government, academia, and industry to make inclusion core to India’s AI journey. The future of AI must be built on equal access.” Vani Kola, Managing Director of Kalaari Capital, noted that barriers such as limited early exposure to AI, lack of mentorship, and workplace cultures that perpetuate gender gaps are significant hurdles for women aspiring to leadership roles in the AI/ML sector.