Photo by Mike Mozart via Flickr.Microsoft has announced plans to introduce its ‘AI Careers for Women’ initiative in India to support female students in higher education. According to reports, Microsoft will partner with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to achieve this goal.
The report mentioned that via the initiative, interested students will be able to leverage the program to pursue a future in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. The collaboration is set to bridge the gap in the emerging technology sector by training women with skills needed in the AI industry, allowing them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. This way, they can also be a part of the digital workforce and support the government’s move for future-focused skill development.
Microsoft pushes AI career support in India
According to the report, the program also seeks to open up better opportunities for women in the technology industry, promoting diversity and inclusivity across the industry. The launch of the initiative comes at a time when multiple reports, including India’s Economic Survey, have highlighted the concerning trends over job displacement driven by the rise of AI.
According to the Economic Survey 2024-2025, AI poses the highest risk of job losses, particularly among middle and lower-class income workers. Discussing this growing trend, Tiff Macklem, the governor of the Bank of Canada, mentioned that as AI continues to be integrated deeply into society, so will its influence grow, highlighting that it will eliminate more jobs. He also added that those displaced by automation may also find it hard to secure employment opportunities.
Speaking about the initiative, Union Minister of States, MSDE, Jayant Chaudhary said it is a perfect example of how the government and the industry can work together.
“This initiative exemplifies how government and industry can come together to shape an inclusive and future-ready workforce. Our partnership with Microsoft underlines the Ministry’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women in emerging tech fields like AI,” he said.
AI upskilling to feature 240 hours of comprehensive training
Microsoft has announced that under the initiative, the firm will roll out a 240-hour training program tailored for women. The curriculum will be designed in line with industry standards and will be in collaboration with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), aiming to ensure relevance and quality. The statement also said that the training will be implemented using a hub-and-spoke model in partnership with state-level higher education departments.
The Microsoft initiative will span across six states, using a network of 30 hubs and 150 affiliated universities located in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, extending the reach of the program to underserved regions. Global Delivery Center Leader for Microsoft India, Aparna Gupta, was happy with the development and how things are taking shape. Gupta mentioned that access to these technologies is crucial to economic growth.
Gupta also added that the new program will push young women in India to build careers in AI. He also hailed the reach of the program, noting that it will enable more women access to the initiative.
“Through this collaboration, we’re strengthening capacity building across institutions in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, ultimately enabling more women to thrive in an AI-powered economy and shape the workforce of tomorrow,” Gupta added.
The program seeks to improve traditional classrooms by setting up 150 hubs within women-focused institutions. The initiative will emphasize practical, hands-on learning with exposure to real-world AI tools and applications, equipping about 20,000 students with the relevant skills and project-based experience. Participants will also be taken through a series of structured training led by experts, provided with recognized certificates, and opportunities for internships, fellowships, and apprenticeships.
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