90% of women in India see GenAI as significant for career progress, not all prepared to use it: survey

Generative AI, or GenAI, presents a significant opportunity to improve diversity at work. In India, women acknowledge the career boost GenAI can offer, but not all are ready to use these tools, according to a new survey report by Nasscom and Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The survey revealed that while about 90% of respondents in the country view GenAI tools as crucial for their professional success and career advancement, only 35% of women feel completely prepared to use GenAI tools professionally. This readiness gap is more pronounced in non-tech functions.

This data highlights a significant preparedness gap that needs to be addressed to fully utilize the potential of GenAI tools for career growth. The gap in preparedness is further compounded by disparities in investment and mentorship, according to the BCG-Nasscom survey.

Nasscom represents the voice of the $250 billion technology industry in India. The study, conducted by BCG and Nasscom, analyzed gender diversity in the GenAI sector by surveying 485 participants across various roles, functions, and industries to capture a holistic view of the current landscape and challenges. The study also draws from BCG’s Global GenAI tech survey of more than 6,500 women and men employees in tech companies across seniority levels and functions.

Even with concerted efforts, women constitute 36% of the nearly 5 million industry professionals in the information technology (IT) sector in India, and executive women represent a mere 4-8% compared to 14% globally, the survey said.

“The global AI market is projected to reach $320-380 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25-35%. Generative AI is expected to dominate 33% of this market. This technology will be a significant contributor to the tech services revenue. Importantly, diverse teams are crucial for developing effective Generative AI systems, particularly in identifying biases and addressing ethical issues,” the BCG-Nasscom report read.

Interestingly, GenAI adoption is notably high among Indian professionals, with 76% of men and 80% of women utilizing this technology.

According to BCG’s Global GenAI Tech Survey, senior tech women globally surpass their male counterparts in GenAI adoption by 12 percentage points. However, in India, senior women trail their male peers by nine percentage points. This disparity is due to several factors, including limited knowledge, lack of trust, restricted access to GenAI tools, and fear of competence scrutiny.

Around 65% of both women and men believe that GenAI will act as an equalizer for women’s inclusion in tech. This optimism reflects a shared belief that advancements in GenAI could help bridge the gender gap by creating new opportunities, enhancing accessibility, and reducing biases that have traditionally hindered women’s progress in tech, the survey said.

Senior women in India trail senior men in GenAI adoption rates, unlike globally. The BCG-Nasscom survey insights reveal that the overall adoption of GenAI across Indian men and women is higher, with 76% male professionals and 80% female professionals, compared to global data, where 66% of men and 68% of women use GenAI.

“To foster a diverse and inclusive AI future, organizations should implement robust mentorship programs, support flexible work models, and clearly define GenAI career pathways. Additionally, organizations should reassess leadership teams working on GenAI to ensure diverse voices and varying ethical perspectives. By promoting continuous learning, companies can ensure women thrive in a GenAI-driven future, leading to more equitable workplaces and, critically, an unbiased and effective development of this disruptive technology,” the BCG-Nasscom survey recommended.

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