In this article, tech entrepreneur Priyanka Kamath explores her efforts to bridge the gender gap in emerging technologies and create new opportunities for women in AI.
Women contribute to a diverse workforce, which fosters innovation and enhances productivity. Their involvement is vital for India to maintain its competitive edge globally, especially as the demand for skilled labor rises.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that achieving gender parity in the workforce could enhance India’s GDP by 27%. This economic benefit underscores the importance of integrating women into various sectors, particularly as AI reshapes job landscapes.
The rise of AI necessitates new skills. Women are increasingly enrolling in AI and generative AI courses to enhance their qualifications and adapt to changing job requirements. This trend is crucial for ensuring they are not left behind in the evolving job market.
With only 25.6% of AI talent currently being female, there is a pressing need for initiatives that empower women with the necessary skills to thrive in AI-driven roles. Programs like the Skill India Mission can play a pivotal role in bridging this gap
100 GIGA initially established as initiative that encourages self-employment and entrepreneurship, enabling young girls to start and expand their business from a young age vs relying on the volatility of job market. This not only adds economic value but teaches resilience, critical thinking, problem solving from a foundational age, setting them up for the real world to be job creators.
100 GIGA is geared towards young girls from 16-21 years old entering into a rapidly changing world of AI-driven workforce. We aim to provide digital resources and tools of success that set them up for career trajectory of their choice. The projects built under 100 Girls-100 Augmentations help them pave way to setup a Woman AI Business.
The Vision: A World of Equal Opportunity
Imagine a world where women are no longer underrepresented in tech but are instead at the forefront of innovation. 100 GIGA AI envisions this reality by equipping young women with cutting-edge skills in AI, blockchain, and automation. The program’s mission extends beyond technical training—it’s about solving real-world challenges through purpose-driven technology.
Key Focus Areas:
- Bridging the gender gap in technology.
- Equipping girls with financial literacy tools for long-term independence.
- Developing innovative AI solutions to address societal challenges.
- Creating inclusive opportunities for women in emerging tech fields.
Breaking Barriers in Technology
Despite progress, women’s participation in tech remains at just one-third, with retention being a significant hurdle. Men dominate at every career stage, particularly in STEM leadership roles. However, the rise of AI presents a unique opportunity to challenge these disparities.
LinkedIn data reveals promising trends:
- Between 2018 and 2025, female AI talent has grown significantly.
- The gender gap in AI talent has narrowed across 74 of 75 economies.
- Underreported data suggests an even larger pool of untapped female talent.
These insights underscore the urgency to act now, leveraging the momentum of AI to create lasting change.
Milestones and Impact
Since its inception, 100 GIGA AI has achieved many milestones:
- Reached approximately 80,000 women through partnerships and community access.
- Directly impacted ~2,000 girls by providing them with lifetime skills and opportunities.
- Held India’s first blockchain cohort for women in 2022.
- Piloted “Skill Currency” during the Bharath Blockchain Yatra in 2023.
- Launched “100 GIGA” in 2024 to prepare girls for workforce entry with future-ready skills.
One standout innovation is an AI-powered predictive care solution for children under 14 years old. This tool identifies early signs of malnourishment and provides actionable insights to improve children’s health outcomes. Additionally, the 100 Days, 100 Automations initiative deployed automation solutions across sectors in record time—streamlining processes and driving efficiency.
What Gap is 100 GIGA bridging?
Healthy innovation ecosystems thrive on diversity. Yet, talent pipelines often see women dropping out at various stages of their careers. Economies that harness diverse talent will gain a competitive edge as AI accelerates. By empowering women through initiatives like 100 GIGA AI, we’re not just closing gender gaps—we’re building stronger economies and more equitable societies.
Priyanka Kamath is a leader with over 12 years of experience in engineering, tech consulting, and entrepreneurship. Having held executive roles at a Fortune 500 company and worked with organizations like the World Bank and PepsiCo, she transitioned into AI and tech entrepreneurship. Through her ventures, Priyanka has focused on using technology to address challenges in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education. She has also been a key advocate for women in tech, particularly through her work with SAWIT.AI, which has helped over 80,000 young women develop skills in AI and blockchain.