95% Indian women ready to shift to AI roles

New Delhi: Nearly 95 per cent of women in India are willing to transition into AI-focused roles if backed by the right organisational support, according to a report by ANSR and Talent500. The findings highlight AI as a powerful tool to narrow the gender gap in tech. While India produces 43 per cent of the world’s female STEM graduates, women account for just 29 per cent of entry-level tech roles and only 14 per cent of C-suite positions.

The report challenges the “pipeline myth,” stating that the issue is not a lack of talent but systemic barriers. AI adoption is already helping accelerate career growth, with 64 per cent of respondents saying it has fast-tracked their journey to senior roles.

AI skills are emerging as a stronger differentiator than tenure or traditional performance metrics. About 65 per cent of women expressed optimism about opportunities in AI, including 36 per cent who are highly optimistic.

Further, 69 per cent said AI has opened new career pathways, particularly in areas such as product strategy, AI governance, and transformation leadership. Many also reported that AI tools are freeing up time for higher-value professional and personal pursuits. India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) show relatively better gender diversity, with women holding around 16–17 per cent of leadership roles. However, representation drops sharply, by nearly 40 per cent, from entry-level to senior leadership. The report stresses that while intent among women to lead in AI is strong, organisations must provide mentorship, inclusive policies, and accessible upskilling to convert this readiness into leadership outcomes.