TLDR: Artificial intelligence is significantly transforming and creating new economic opportunities for women across various sectors in India. Initiatives by state governments and national bodies are focusing on digital upskilling and entrepreneurial support, though a notable gap in AI adoption among women persists, highlighting the need for continued inclusive efforts.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the economic landscape for women across India, opening up new avenues for income generation and market access. From grassroots self-help group (SHG) ventures to large-scale state-led upskilling programs, women are increasingly leveraging technology to unlock their entrepreneurial potential and secure new livelihoods.
One prominent example is the Andhra Pradesh government’s ‘One Family – One Entrepreneur: AI for SURE’ programme, launched in March 2025 in partnership with Google. This initiative, spearheaded by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, has already trained nearly 700 SHG women. These women are being equipped with AI tools like ChatGPT to craft digital brochures, banners, and videos, enabling them to effectively market eco-friendly dolls, herbal products, and millet-based foods online.
The impact of digital literacy and AI-related skills is also evident through the Cyber Smart Certification Programme. This program successfully doubled digital adoption among 300,000 women and facilitated an impressive 137,000 e-commerce transactions in a single day, according to a Hans India report. AI is further revolutionizing rural commerce and mobility within Andhra Pradesh.
Similar waves of empowerment are observed in other states, where AI, digital skills, and inclusive design are converging to create opportunities for women across diverse economic backgrounds. In October 2024, Telangana made history by launching the first state chapter of NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform, in collaboration with WE Hub. This platform provides critical resources such as digital upskilling, access to finance, mentorship, and market linkages, particularly benefiting SHG-run enterprises seeking growth. Its hub-and-spoke model aims to bridge urban-rural disparities and foster inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Despite these advancements, a significant challenge remains: women are being left behind in the broader AI adoption curve. As India pushes forward with its ambitious Rs 10,372-crore India AI Mission, this ‘blindspot’ is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. A recent study by Coursera and NASSCOM revealed that women constitute only 29.6% (approximately three in ten) of generative AI enrolments in India. While their year-on-year enrolments for generative AI courses on Coursera in India saw a remarkable increase of almost 295% in 2024, this gap must be closed to realize the promise of an inclusive digital ecosystem.
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Addressing this disparity, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has launched the Yashoda AI Abhiyan, an AI literacy initiative emphasizing inclusion. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar underscored the program’s vision, stating, “True change begins when a woman masters the tools of the future. Yashoda AI is about igniting confidence, enabling informed choices, and empowering every woman to shape a secure and inclusive digital tomorrow.” This initiative aims to transform women from passive consumers of technology into active participants in the digital economy.
