The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Women’s Empowerment in the 21st Century

From childhood, we have been inspired by the tales of Ahilyabai Holkar, Rani Lakshmibai, and Jija Mata—women whose strength and vision shaped history. We also learnt how visionary leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fought for the rights and dignity of women. India’s history is replete with examples of courageous women who shaped its destiny—be it Rani Padmavati’s supreme sacrifice, the valiant efforts of Kittur Rani Chennamma against British rule, or the inspiring leadership of Begum Hazrat Mahal in the 1857 revolt.  Maharani Durgavati, who defended her kingdom against the Mughal invasion, and Rani Abbakka Chowta, the warrior queen of Tulu Nadu, continue to inspire us with their courage and commitment to justice. 

From the Vedic era, where scholars like Gargi and Maitreyi debated philosophical concepts, to the present, where women are leading in almost every field globally, we have undoubtedly come a long way. However, this journey of women-led development was never without challenges. Studying global feminist waves and their history teaches us how women faced obstacles at every step, challenging societal norms and structures to claim their rightful place.

This year marks the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, one of India’s most progressive rulers, who championed the cause of women’s education, welfare, and social reforms. As we celebrate her legacy and draw inspiration from the achievements of our great leaders, it is equally important to look toward the future of women’s empowerment. As it is rightly said, development is a continuous process—it is a journey rather than a fixed destination. Over the years, India has embraced various strategies to empower women. Today, we cannot discuss progress without considering the role of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

Can AI become the next transformative force in shaping a more inclusive and empowered future for women?

The Evolution of AI

While it may seem like a recent phenomenon, the concept of artificial intelligence has existed for quite some time. Initially,  Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace played a crucial role by envisioning programmable machines. However, the true turning point in AI’s development came with Alan Turing, who proposed the Turing Test in 1950—a method for evaluating machine intelligence. A few years later, in 1956, the Dartmouth Conference, led by John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, Nathaniel Rochester, and Claude Shannon, officially coined the term artificial intelligence and established it as an academic discipline. It is interesting to mention that along with Greek philosophers like Aristotle, India has produced a long chain of logicians who also anticipated artificial intelligence.

Simply put, artificial intelligence is concerned with building computers and machines that can reason, learn, and act in ways that typically require human intelligence or involve data at a scale beyond human analytical capabilities.

AI-Driven Women’s Empowerment: A Global Perspective

Looking at Southeast Asia, an article by the United Nations Sustainable Development Group highlights that rapid technological adoption is creating fertile ground for AI initiatives that are empowering women across the region. In Malaysia, for example, programs centred on data analytics and machine learning are equipping women with advanced technical skills, opening doors to new career opportunities in technology and innovation. These initiatives, often developed through collaborations between tech hubs and academic institutions, not only boost employability but also pave the way for female leadership in industries historically dominated by men. In Indonesia, AI is being integrated into rural development programs where women entrepreneurs leverage smart technologies to optimize business operations, manage inventories, and gain access to broader markets, transforming small-scale enterprises into competitive ventures. Similarly, in nations like Brunei and Singapore, targeted efforts in cybersecurity and digital innovation are encouraging increased participation of women in high-tech fields. 

Beyond Southeast Asia, Western and European nations have also embraced AI as a tool for gender inclusivity. In Sweden, AI-driven recruitment platforms are helping eliminate gender bias in hiring by assessing candidates based on skills rather than traditional indicators that may favour male applicants. In Germany, AI-powered STEM education programs are fostering early interest in technology among young girls, bridging the gender gap in scientific fields. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, AI is being integrated into healthcare services to improve maternal health, offering personalized pregnancy care through data-driven insights.

India’s Commitment to AI-Driven Women-Led Development

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently championed the vision of “women-led development” on global platforms, sending a powerful message that women should not just be beneficiaries of progress but active leaders shaping it. In line with this vision, the Indian government has taken significant steps to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into key sectors, ensuring inclusivity and empowerment. 

In 2018, India introduced the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, which aimed to embed AI in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and governance. Built on the theme of ‘AI for All,’ this strategy underlines inclusivity and the ethical deployment of AI. In 2021, the government introduced a draft on ‘Responsible AI,’ prioritizing transparency and accountability. Furthering this commitment, in 2023, the Union Cabinet approved the ‘India AI Mission’ with a budget of ₹10,371.92 crore, positioning AI as a key driver of national development. 

At the 2025 Paris AI Summit, co-chaired by India and France, Prime Minister Modi reinforced the importance of making AI more inclusive and accessible to all sections of society. AI-powered initiatives are now being actively developed to combat cyberbullying, detect online harassment, and strengthen digital security for women, ensuring a safer and more equitable digital environment. 

Recognising the transformative potential of AI in education, the government has deployed AI-powered learning platforms such as SWAYAM and DIKSHA, which provide high-quality educational content and skill development opportunities. These platforms not only bridge the digital divide for women in rural and urban areas but also enable individuals from diverse backgrounds to gain digital literacy and technical expertise. 

AI is revolutionising healthcare services for women in India. Advanced AI-driven diagnostic tools are being developed to enable early detection of breast cancer, significantly improving preventive care. Additionally, AI-based predictive analytics are being leveraged to monitor high-risk pregnancies.

To boost economic empowerment, the India AI Mission is fostering an inclusive AI ecosystem, particularly supporting women entrepreneurs, digital start-ups, and job creation in fields like cybersecurity and fintech. The mission’s emphasis on digital entrepreneurship ensures that women have access to the opportunities emerging in AI-driven industries. Moreover, AI is enhancing public safety and governance. AI-powered chatbots and emergency alert systems now provide immediate legal and security assistance to women, while AI-driven verification processes ensure that government welfare schemes reach the intended female beneficiaries efficiently. 

Way forward

Nonetheless, to fully harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for women-led development, a multi-pronged strategy is essential. One of the most pressing challenges is bridging the digital gender divide—ensuring that women, particularly in rural areas, have access to AI-driven tools requires sustained investments in digital literacy programs. AI can also play a transformative role in women’s safety and security. Advanced facial recognition systems, AI-driven predictive policing, and real-time emergency response chatbots can enhance protection for women. Expanding AI-based helpline services and integrating them with law enforcement can provide timely assistance in cases of domestic violence and harassment.  Similarly, in healthcare, AI-powered telemedicine services can help ensure that even women in remote areas receive quality medical care. Personalized AI-driven nutrition and wellness platforms can address malnutrition and reproductive health challenges, improving overall well-being. 

Furthermore, ethical and inclusive AI development is critical. On one hand, AI provides an excellent tool to enhance women-led development, on the other, deepfake technology, powered by AI, poses a significant threat to women, particularly through the creation of non-consensual explicit content, cyber harassment, and misinformation campaigns that damage reputations and silence voices in public life.  Therefore, stronger cyber laws, stricter penalties, and platform accountability are crucial in addressing this challenge. 

Furthermore, strengthening AI research and policymaking for gender inclusion should remain a priority. The ‘India AI Mission’ and initiatives like ‘AI for All’ must emphasise gender-inclusive AI research. Collaborations between the government, academia, and private tech firms can drive cutting-edge research on AI-based solutions tailored for women’s empowerment. Additionally, AI-powered policy tracking can help evaluate the impact of government schemes on women’s development, enabling real-time improvements based on data-driven insights. 

The views expressed in this article are personal and do not reflect the official position of any government, organization, or institution.