Mumbai: A groundbreaking initiative, SAWiT.AI, is poised to unlock a $550 billion opportunity for India’s economy by equipping 500,000 women with the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This program, the world’s largest women-only Generative AI Learning Challenge, aims to bridge the gender gap in the workforce and propel India as a global leader in AI innovation.
SAWiT.AI is a collaborative effort between SAWiT (South Asia Women in Tech) and GUVI, set to launch on September 21, 2024. This initiative aims to equip 500,000 Indian women with foundational skills in Generative AI through hands-on experience with leading AI tools. Supported by a distinguished advisory council, including Roshni Nadar Malhotra (Chairperson of HCL Tech), Samantha Ruth Prabhu (acclaimed actor and women’s empowerment advocate), and Farzana Haque (Senior Leader at Tata Consultancy Services), SAWiT.AI is a transformative event designed to elevate the role of women in technology and address a critical national challenge.
Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCL Technologies and SAWiT advisor, emphasizes, “To make a difference, you have to have large aspirations.” As India’s leading woman in tech, her support underscores the spirit of SAWiT.”
India’s current female labor force participation rate stands at just 24%, significantly lower than other countries. Studies by McKinsey Global Institute estimate that increasing female participation by just 10% could add a staggering $550 billion to India’s GDP. However, societal norms and limited mobility for women (with over 50% not leaving their homes daily) restrict their ability to enter the workforce and contribute to the economy.
The global demand for AI talent is exploding, with Precedence Research projecting the generative AI market to reach a staggering USD 803.9 billion by 2033. However, a critical skills gap threatens to stifle this growth. SAWiT.AI tackles this head-on by equipping women with marketable AI skills, boosting their career adaptability and confidence. Participants gain valuable certifications and contribute to real-world AI applications, bridging the talent gap and fueling the AI revolution.
SAWiT.AI tackles this challenge head-on by providing a comprehensive learning and career development platform for women in AI. The program offers:
SAWiT.AI Learnathon (September 21, 2024): A hands-on learning experience in Generative AI.
SAWiT.AI Hackathon (October 2024): The world’s largest women-led Generative AI challenge, where teams develop advanced AI applications.
SAWiT.AI Festival (November 2024): Celebrating Generative AI innovation, awarding challenge winners, and recognizing pioneering institutions, partners, and sponsors.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, an acclaimed actress and advocate for women’s empowerment, states, “I’m fascinated by the possibilities of Gen AI and incredibly excited about the important work that SAWiT is doing. Their unprecedented event, SAWiT.AI, offers women the opportunity to elevate their careers and capabilities by learning a transformative technology. I believe this initiative will showcase the unparalleled potential of Indian women and I wish them the greatest success.”
Women from both tech and non-tech backgrounds who are eager to advance their careers using Generative AI platform skills are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates can register at SAWiT.AI registration page for a nominal fee of INR 99. The deadline for registration is September 18, 2024.
HCL Tech is supporting SAWiT.AI as one of the corporate sponsors. This partnership underscores their commitment to diversity and social impact by supporting the participation of thousands of women in tech, including their own employees. Additionally, supporting the event allows corporates to access top AI talent, enabling them to address real-world business challenges by leveraging the skills of India’s brightest AI minds. Other global and leading brands are joining the league soon, as they can leverage benefits from SAWiT.AI as well, gaining similar advantages such as diversity leadership, and access to a rich talent pool.
SAWiT.AI is more than just a training program; it’s a catalyst for India’s economic transformation. This initiative will empower women, close the gender gap, and fuel India’s rise as a global AI powerhouse. Women from both tech and non-tech backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
By equipping 500,000 women with in-demand AI skills, SAWiT.AI aims to:
Bridge the gender gap in the tech workforce.
Unlock India’s $550 billion economic opportunity.
Empower women for career advancement and economic independence.
Fuel India’s rise as a global AI leader.
Farzana Haque, SAWiT advisor and senior Leader at Tata Consultancy Services, and a global influencer in tech and women empowerment, adds: “SAWiT.AI is a landmark event that will redefine the role of women in the tech industry. By providing hands-on AI experience to half a million women, we want to create a robust pipeline of women talent to drive innovation and social impact globally.”
Anitha Natarajan, COO at GUVI, highlighted the importance of this revolutionary event: “This event is more than just a learning opportunity; it’s about creating a movement that empowers women to lead in the tech industry.”
Sanjay Varma, Co-founder of Kalido, added: “Kalido is proud to support SAWiT.AI’s mission to build a more diverse and inclusive tech future. By connecting women with jobs, fostering collaboration, and enabling micro-communities, Kalido is empowering them to thrive in the AI revolution.”
By bridging the gender gap and equipping women with crucial AI expertise, SAWiT.AI not only contributes to individual career growth but also to the broader technological and economic advancement of India. For those interested in participating or partnering with SAWiT.AI, this is an unmissable opportunity to be part of a historic movement shaping the future of AI in India and beyond.