Women in the country’s tech sector exhibit higher levels of professional ambition across all levels compared to their male counterparts, a report by Nasscom in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, said on Thursday.
The landscape of India’s tech industry is evolving, with women making up 36% of the workforce, the report noted. However, a significant gender gap remains, particularly in executive roles. The introduction of Generative AI (GenAI) is poised to transform the tech sector, offering a unique opportunity to address this disparity by enabling women to overcome traditional barriers, it added.
According to the report, 45% of women in tech roles feel that GenAI tools boost their perceived competence, while 1 in 5 women use GenAI tools almost daily. Among senior management women, nearly 35% report daily usage of GenAI tools.
However, the report also notes lower adoption and usage of GenAI tools among some senior management women, which can be attributed to challenges such as limited knowledge, lack of trust, restricted access to these tools, and fear of competence scrutiny. Addressing these knowledge gaps and other barriers is crucial for increasing GenAI adoption among women.
The Market Potential of GenAI
GenAI is projected to dominate 33% of the global AI landscape by 2027, with the AI market expected to reach $320-380 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25-35%. This growth presents a significant opportunity for the tech sector to enhance gender diversity and inclusion.
“Despite significant progress in diversity and AI/Gen AI adoption, substantial gaps still limit women’s full potential in the tech industry. With Gen AI set to dominate the tech industry, it is critical to address key challenges such as knowledge gaps and lack of support, to empower women, particularly in these roles,” said Sangeeta Gupta, senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Nasscom.
The report also emphasises the pivotal role of organisations in driving GenAI adoption among women by creating supportive environments. It recommends key actions such as defining clear career pathways, offering formal and informal mentorship programmes, enabling flexible work arrangements, providing ethical training, building a culture of empowerment, diversity, and inclusion, and fostering networking opportunities.
While 95% of junior, 96% of mid-management, and 100% of senior management women expressed a willingness to invest more time to achieve professional success in GenAI, only 35% of surveyed women respondents feel completely prepared by their employers.
Globally, senior women are leading in GenAI adoption, yet India faces a significant gender disparity in AI leadership, with a 64% gap. Sreyssha George, managing director and partner at BCG, said, “To capture the $320 billion AI market, India’s tech sector needs diversity. This will ensure effective systems by eliminating biases and incorporating varying ethical perspectives”.
