Indian Women Excel in Learning AI Skills for Key Roles: Arundhati Bhattacharya

By siliconindia  |  Friday, 08 March 2024, 09:21:53 AM IST

Indian Women Excel in Learning AI Skills for Key Roles: Arundhati Bhattacharya
In an effort to bolster India's talent pool in emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), Arundhati Bhattacharya, CEO and Chairperson of Salesforce India, highlighted the crucial role women can play in learning generative AI. Speaking on International Women's Day, Bhattacharya emphasized the need for women to be at the forefront of the evolving AI industry, leveraging their multitasking and adaptability to contribute significantly.
The government's focus on skilling and creating a talent pool aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to harness AI capabilities for social development and inclusive growth. The 'National Programme on Artificial Intelligence' and the upcoming 'India AI Mission' underscore India's commitment to responsible and ethical AI use.
Bhattacharya acknowledged the initial excitement around generative AI but noted that concerns and challenges have tempered expectations. She emphasized that addressing these concerns requires a comprehensive understanding and a focus on skilling. Skilling initiatives, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities, form a critical aspect of the 'India AI Mission' to democratize AI skills.
While Prime Minister Modi highlighted the government's commitment to AI at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) declaration in December, Bhattacharya cautioned that skilling is key to bridging the talent deficit in AI. The evolving nature of AI technology, particularly in the field of generative AI, necessitates continuous learning and adaptability.
Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, echoed the urgency, emphasizing the imminent talent deficit in AI. He called for collaboration between academic institutions, governments, and the tech industry globally to meet the demand for AI-related jobs. Chandrasekhar emphasized the need for skilled professionals, including architects and designers of large-language models (LLMs), in the AI industry.
Nasscom's recent findings highlight India's current leadership in AI skill penetration and talent concentration. However, the industry now faces a shortage of AI skills across the spectrum. As the government prioritizes skilling initiatives and emphasizes responsible AI use, the role of women in the evolving AI landscape becomes crucial for shaping the future of technology in India.

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