Microsoft to Boost AI Careers for Indian Women
Global technology leader Microsoft has partnered with India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to introduce the ‘AI Careers for Women’ program. This initiative aims to support and empower female students in higher education to pursue careers in artificial intelligence (AI).
The program seeks to bridge the gender gap in emerging technology by equipping women with industry-aligned AI skills, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy and become active contributors to India’s innovation-led growth. Microsoft will roll out a comprehensive 240-hour training program as part of its AI skilling and innovation framework tailored for women. The curriculum, developed in alignment with industry standards and in collaboration with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), aims to ensure relevance and quality.
The initiative will span six states, utilizing a network of 30 Centres of Excellence (hubs) and 150 affiliated educational institutions (spokes) located in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. This will extend the program’s reach to underserved regions. Edunet Foundation, a key implementation partner, will lead the program’s execution in collaboration with academic institutions, government agencies, corporate partners, and industry associations.
The program aims to equip 20,000 students with industry-relevant skills and project-based experience. Participants will gain access to expert-led structured training, recognized AI certifications, and opportunities for internships, apprenticeships, and fellowships. The initiative will also open up new avenues for women in rural India to engage with AI, empowering them to innovate, develop AI applications, and contribute to creating AI datasets.
“This initiative exemplifies how government and industry can come together to shape an inclusive and future-ready workforce,” said Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE. “By embedding this program within credit-linked university curricula and aligning it with the National Education Policy (NEP), we’re reimagining 21st-century learning—making it flexible, interdisciplinary, and deeply rooted in industry needs,” Chaudhary added.
“I’m thrilled to see Microsoft’s partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) take shape, empowering young women in India to build careers in AI,” said Aparna Gupta, Global Delivery Center Leader, Microsoft India. “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.
