Microsoft, Skill Development Ministry Launch AI Careers For Women To Reduce Gender Gap In Emerging Tech

Even as artificial intelligence witnesses phenomenal growth in various industries, powering innovation and the Indian digital economy, one of the challenges remains women representation in AI sectors. There is a noticeable gender gap in emerging tech and women are often insufficiently equipped with industry-aligned AI skills.

Recognising this problem, and in a bid to equip women with future tech skills, Microsoft has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to launch a skilling initiative called AI Careers for Women. The initiative is aimed at empowering women in higher education institutions to pursue careers in AI. 

As part of this collaboration, Microsoft will provide a 240 hours of training curriculum under AI skilling and innovation framework for women, aligned to industry standards and developed in consultation with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training.

The programme complements classroom learning in higher education by establishing 30 centres of excellence at women institutions that act as hub centres, supporting a network of 150 additional women's colleges across six states, primarily located in Tier-II and Tier-III towns.

The programme will offer AI training with exposure to AI tools and real-world applications, helping women to gain industry-relevant skills and project-based experience. Learners will get training from experts, AI certifications, internships, apprenticeship, fellowship, career guidance and job opportunities in AI-enabled roles. 

"Our partnership with Microsoft underlines the ministry's commitment to expanding opportunities for women in emerging tech fields like AI," Union minister Jayant Chaudhary said. "Empowering young women with in-demand digital skills will not only transform individual careers but also accelerate the nation's journey towards a more equitable and innovation-driven economy."

As one of the partners, Edunet Foundation will implement this programme, working with academic institutions, government bodies, corporates and industry bodies to build an alliance to help enhance workforce participation of women.

"Through this collaboration, we're strengthening capacity building across institutions in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, ultimately enabling more women to thrive in an AI-powered economy and shape the workforce of tomorrow," Aparna Gupta, global delivery centre leader at Microsoft India, said.

The programme will also create opportunities for women in rural India to innovate on AI and enhance their economic opportunities, equipping them to be AI developers, building AI applications and datasets. MSDE will collaborate with Microsoft in accreditation of the curriculum and enable rural girls with apprenticeship and job opportunities through the centres of excellence.