Women Embrace AI for Career Growth Despite Training Gap

The rapid rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is transforming the professional landscape, with women in particular recognizing its potential to accelerate career growth, despite significant barriers to adoption and training.

GenAI’s growing importance for women’s careers: A new report by Nasscom reveals that a majority of women view GenAI as crucial for their professional advancement, highlighting the technology’s increasing relevance in the workplace.

• The findings were presented at the Nasscom Global Inclusion Summit in Bengaluru, underscoring the importance of this issue in the tech industry.
• Women across all levels of management express a strong willingness to invest time in developing GenAI skills, with 95% of junior, 96% of mid-management, and 100% of senior management ready to commit to learning.
• The enthusiasm for GenAI is driven by its potential to enhance efficiency and foster innovation in various professional roles.

Adoption rates and usage patterns: The report indicates that GenAI adoption is gaining momentum among women professionals, with varying rates across different management levels.

• One in five women report using GenAI tools almost daily, demonstrating the technology’s integration into regular work routines.
• Senior management leads in adoption, with 35% of women in these positions using GenAI tools on a daily basis.
• Women in tech roles exhibit 45% higher confidence in using GenAI tools compared to their non-tech counterparts, suggesting a correlation between technical background and comfort with AI technologies.

Training gap and employer preparedness: Despite the high interest in GenAI, there is a significant disparity between women’s eagerness to adopt the technology and the training provided by employers.

• Only 35% of surveyed women felt fully prepared by their employers to use GenAI effectively in their work.
• This training gap represents a critical area for improvement, as it potentially limits the full realization of GenAI’s benefits in the workplace.
• The lack of comprehensive training programs may contribute to slower adoption rates and underutilization of GenAI tools.

Challenges to adoption: Several factors are impeding the widespread adoption of GenAI among women professionals, with knowledge gaps being the primary obstacle across all levels.

• Limited knowledge about GenAI and its applications is the most significant barrier to adoption.
• Other challenges include a lack of trust in AI systems, restricted access to GenAI tools, and fears of competence scrutiny when using new technologies.
• These barriers highlight the need for comprehensive education and support systems to facilitate GenAI adoption.

Global context and India’s position: The report places India’s GenAI adoption in a global context, revealing both progress and areas for improvement in the tech industry’s diversity efforts.

• Globally, senior women are leading in GenAI adoption, but India lags behind with a 64% gender disparity in AI leadership roles.
• This disparity underscores the need for targeted efforts to promote women’s advancement in AI and tech leadership positions in India.
• To capitalize on the estimated $320 billion AI market, India’s tech sector must prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The role of organizations: The report emphasizes the critical role that organizations must play in driving GenAI adoption and supporting women’s professional growth in this area.

• Companies need to create supportive environments that encourage GenAI learning and experimentation.
• Providing access to GenAI tools, offering comprehensive training programs, and fostering a culture of innovation are key steps organizations can take.
• By addressing the identified challenges, organizations can help bridge the gender gap in AI leadership and unlock the full potential of their female workforce.

Looking ahead: Opportunities and implications: The widespread interest in GenAI among women professionals presents both challenges and opportunities for the tech industry and workforce development.

• The enthusiasm for GenAI across management levels suggests a potential for rapid skill development and innovation if proper support is provided.
• Addressing the training gap could lead to significant advancements in workplace efficiency and creativity, benefiting both individual careers and organizational performance.
• As GenAI continues to evolve, closing the gender disparity in AI leadership could position India as a leader in inclusive tech innovation, attracting diverse talent and driving economic growth in the AI sector.