India, 3rd September 2024 – SAWiT.AI proudly announces strategic partnerships with Google Women Techmakers, FutureSkills Prime – a NASSCOM-MeitY initiative, FICCI FLO, and Sheroes.
India is on the brink of a transformative era, with a new initiative aimed at empowering women to lead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape driven by Generative AI. This groundbreaking effort has the potential to create 3 million jobs and add $1.3 trillion to the nation’s GDP.
SAWiT.AI, with the support of key partners like Google Women Techmakers, FutureSkills Prime, FICCI FLO, and Sheroes, is dedicated to equipping 10 million women with essential Generative AI skills. The initiative’s goal is to ensure that women are prepared to take on pivotal roles in AI, Generative AI, and Automation.
The movement will officially launch on September 21st with a significant event aimed at providing foundational Generative AI training to 500,000 women. This marks a crucial step toward increasing women’s participation in technology and paving the way for a more inclusive future in India’s tech industry.
Google Women Techmakers, a flagship program under Google for Developers, will empower SAWiT.AI participants with access to learning resources, expert guidance, and exclusive content. This collaboration highlights Google’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in technology, offering participants a global network of resources.
FutureSkills Prime, a collaborative initiative between MeitY and NASSCOM, will lend its expertise to the program, focusing on upskilling women. Kirti Seth, CEO of IT-ITeS Sector Skill Council NASSCOM, stated, “This initiative marks a pivotal moment for advancing women’s roles in technology. Through our partnership with SAWiT, Google Women Techmakers, FICCI FLO, and Sheroes, SSC NASSCOM is committed to bridging the gender gap in AI and fostering a more inclusive, innovative tech landscape. We believe this program will empower women to fully harness the potential of AI, driving transformative growth and opportunity across the industry.”
Additionally, FICCI FLO and Sheroes will play a crucial role in expanding SAWiT.AI’s reach, connecting participants with industry leaders and mentors, and fostering a supportive environment for career growth. Aarti Gupta from FICCI FLO remarked, “Empowering our network of women professionals and entrepreneurs with foundational Generative AI skills will significantly enhance value creation across various sectors. This technology presents a unique opportunity for women to advance their capabilities and drive innovation in their fields.” Sairee Chahal, founder of Sheroes, added, “As a platform dedicated to women’s empowerment, we recognize that understanding Generative AI is becoming increasingly essential. Providing working knowledge of this technology will open new pathways for women, helping them adapt to the digital age and progress in their careers.”
To seize this unprecedented opportunity, SAWiT (South Asian Women in Tech – https://sawitnetwork.com) is also building the world’s largest women-only AI community on Kalido, an AI-enabled platform that facilitates mentoring, upskilling, networking, connectivity, and job placements at scale. This initiative aims to engage women from a broad range of disciplines beyond technology and STEM, utilizing SAWiT.AI’s tailored skilling programs to ensure inclusive participation.
Anitha Natarajan, COO of GUVI, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “With less than 20% of India’s AI workforce being female, addressing this gender gap is crucial. By equipping 10 million women with AI skills through SAWiT.AI, we are not only empowering women but also tapping into a $550 billion economic opportunity. Our partnerships with Google Women Techmakers and SSC NASSCOM, along with support from FICCI FLO and Sheroes, are essential in providing women with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in the tech industry.”
Sanjay Varma, Co-founder of Kalido, added: “Kalido is excited to support SAWiT in its mission to empower women in technology. The global commitment to advancing women’s rights and opportunities is clear, as evidenced by significant philanthropic efforts dedicated to supporting women’s empowerment. This initiative aligns with that broader commitment, striving to make a substantial impact in the tech industry by addressing the gender gap in AI.”
