India’s artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is rapidly unfolding, but a new report suggests that this technological transformation risks being shaped by an imbalanced workforce. According to the venture capital firm Kalaari Capital’s latest study, “Wired for Impact: Women in Ind(AI)”, women make up just one in five professionals in India’s AI and machine learning (ML) sectors today. However, this number is expected to grow nearly fourfold by 2027, thanks to expanding access to AI education, flexible learning opportunities, and rising demand across industries.

Launched at the No Ceiling Summit in New Delhi on Thursday, the report was unveiled in the presence of several prominent women leaders, including Member of Parliament Bansuri Swaraj and Pragya Misra, Head of Policy and Partnerships at OpenAI. The report highlights both the progress and the persistent challenges that define women’s participation in the rapidly evolving world of AI in India.

A Growing Presence, But Not Yet Equal Power

According to Kalaari Capital’s estimates, India currently has around 84,000 women working in AI and ML, accounting for roughly 20% of the total workforce. The number is projected to rise to about 3.4 lakh by 2027. This growth will be driven by more accessible education platforms, increasing interest in AI careers, and initiatives aimed at inclusion.

However, the report cautions that while more women may enter the AI workforce, this growth in quantity does not necessarily translate to equality in quality or influence. Women, it notes, remain largely concentrated in data-focused and execution-heavy roles—such as data engineering and analytics—while still underrepresented in areas like core model development, product design, and leadership positions. The absence of women in decision-making roles means that the systems shaping the future of society may continue to be built from limited perspectives.

OpenAI’s Pragya Misra emphasized the importance of inclusion in AI creation. “AI can be the ultimate empowerment tool, but only if it’s built with everyone, not just for them,” she said. “An AI developed by a homogenous group won’t just be biased—it will be blind to real-world challenges and opportunities. Diversity must be treated as an essential form of quality control for an equitable and effective AI future.”

India’s Paradox: High STEM Participation, Low AI Representation

India is often celebrated for its comparatively high level of women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The report points out that women account for 43% of total annual STEM enrolments, the highest proportion globally. Yet, this early advantage fades as one moves toward AI-critical disciplines such as engineering and computer science.

At premier technical institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), women form just 15% of students. In contrast, private engineering colleges see closer to 30% female participation. This drop-off suggests that despite interest and aptitude, barriers—ranging from social expectations to competitive access—limit women’s representation in the top echelons of technical education.

The Startup Divide: Missing Founders, Missing Capital

The gender gap is even more evident in India’s AI startup ecosystem. According to Kalaari’s findings, only 10% of India’s AI startups are led or co-founded by women. Among these, five firms alone account for over half of the $542 million raised by women-led AI ventures so far. None of the 24 most-funded AI startups in the country have an all-women founding team.

This disparity not only highlights the structural barriers women face in accessing venture funding but also underscores how the future of AI entrepreneurship remains largely male-dominated. Limited access to investors, fewer mentorship opportunities, and underrepresentation in professional networks contribute to the persistent gap in women-led AI innovation.

Speaking at the report launch, Member of Parliament Bansuri Swaraj said, “India today is powered by two AIs—Artificial Intelligence and the Aspirational Indian. When the two meet, they accelerate progress. As we enter the decade of deeptech, women must be at the forefront because if we leave out half of our population, we are not building artificial intelligence; we are risking artificial ignorance.” She added that women who were once silent contributors to progress are now becoming visionaries, leading a fundamental shift in India’s technology story.

Signs of Progress in AI Education and Career Aspirations

Despite the gender imbalance, there are encouraging trends pointing toward change. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, the number of Indian women enrolling in generative AI courses tripled, reaching nearly 3.9 lakh learners. Women now make up 30% of total AI education sign-ups on major platforms such as Coursera.

Moreover, AI and ML have become the top career choices for women in technology. According to Kalaari’s survey, 41% of women students now identify AI and ML as their preferred professional field, compared with 37% of men. This data suggests that women’s enthusiasm for AI is not lacking; rather, it is systemic barriers that limit their entry and advancement.

Microsoft researcher Kalika Bali stressed the need for a holistic approach to inclusion. “For women in India to move from users to real shapers of AI, we need to open doors across the entire pipeline—from giving girls access to computational thinking early on, to funding more women-led AI research and startups, to ensuring women’s voices are present in policy and product design rooms,” she said. “It’s about building both the skills and the structures that let women influence what AI is built for, not just how it’s used.”

Persistent Challenges: Pay, Promotion, and Visibility

The report also lays bare the gender inequities that continue to shape the AI workforce. About 40% of women surveyed said they do not believe they are paid fairly compared to male counterparts. The gender pay gap in AI widens with seniority—from 4% at the entry level to as much as 16% at senior or leadership positions.

Equally troubling is the fact that many women remain excluded from high-visibility or strategic projects—the kind that often lead to promotions or leadership recognition. This lack of exposure limits their career mobility and keeps them trapped in mid-level technical roles despite comparable skill levels.

Efforts to Bridge the Gap

Several Indian initiatives are attempting to address this imbalance and promote gender inclusivity in AI. The report highlights AI Kiran, a government-supported program that aims to train one million women in AI by 2028. The initiative seeks to create a nationwide talent pipeline of women AI professionals, especially from smaller towns and non-traditional backgrounds.

A spokesperson for AI Kiran explained, “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. Policies that support women-led startups, inclusive research, and accessible education can unlock extraordinary potential. When universities, companies, and public institutions come together, we don’t just create opportunity; we create belief.”

A Call for Structural Change

The findings of Wired for Impact emphasize that closing the gender gap in AI requires more than just educational access—it demands systemic change. Kalaari Capital’s managing director, Vani Kola, said, “From our conversations with practitioners, the barriers holding women back from AI and ML leadership in India include lack of early exposure to AI tools and curricula, limited mentorship or female role models, and workplace cultures that reinforce existing gender gaps. Amid the excitement over what AI can already do, it is easy to overlook what it is missing.”

The report ultimately argues that India stands at a pivotal moment. With AI expected to redefine industries and economies, the country’s demographic advantage and high rate of female STEM participation could make it a global leader in inclusive AI innovation. However, for that to happen, stakeholders must ensure that women are not merely participants but decision-makers in shaping AI systems and ethics.

The Road Ahead

India’s AI landscape is expanding rapidly, with the potential to add billions to the economy and revolutionize every sector—from healthcare and education to manufacturing and governance. But the transformation will only be meaningful if it includes the perspectives, creativity, and leadership of women. The next few years will determine whether India’s AI growth story is truly inclusive or whether it mirrors the gender inequities of past technological revolutions.

The Wired for Impact report concludes that gender diversity is not a moral imperative alone but a practical necessity. Without it, India risks developing technologies that serve only a part of its population. The integration of women into AI, therefore, is not just about equality; it is about building a smarter, fairer, and more representative future for the nation.