In the report, ‘Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills’, Coursera delves into the barriers women face in AI upskilling and offers solutions to make AI education more inclusive.
India’s AI Boom and the Gender Divide
The report reveals that India leads globally in AI adoption, with 1.3 million AI enrollments in 2024 — the highest worldwide. Yet, while women outpaced men in GenAI growth, their participation remains significantly lower than the global average of 32%.
Key Barriers and Solutions
The playbook outlines critical challenges:
- Confidence gaps keep women from enrolling in advanced AI courses.
- Time constraints hinder skill adoption, but most women in leadership roles are willing to invest in AI learning.
- Lack of relevance makes women hesitant to upskill unless AI is linked to practical fields like healthcare and education.
- Few female role models discourage participation, though courses with women instructors see 7% higher female enrollment.
A Call for Inclusive AI Development
“As AI literacy becomes a global priority, it’s crucial that India’s rapid adoption of GenAI is shared equally,” said Karine Allouche, Global Head of Enterprise at Coursera. “Empowering more women in AI will ensure diverse voices shape the future of AI.”
The playbook offers strategies for institutions, governments, and businesses to bridge the AI gender gap.
Also read: How Duolingo is using AI and social media to grow in India
