Empower, upskill, and lead: Building an inclusive future with GenAI

Generative AI isn’t just the next big thing; it’s already here, reshaping how we work, learn, and live. GenAI is rewriting the rules across industries, from automating workflows to reimagining creativity.

But, while the technology moves fast, there’s a gap we can’t ignore: women are being left out of the conversation and the innovation.

This isn’t just about fairness. It’s about who gets to shape the future of technology and the world it touches.

GenAI gender gap is bigger than you think!
The numbers are telling. A recent report from the World Economic Forum found that 59% of men aged 18–65 use GenAI tools weekly, compared to just 51% of women. Among Gen Z, that gap widens: 71% of young men vs. only 59% of young women. This isn’t just a usage stat. It’s a red flag!

GenAI is quickly becoming a foundational skill, much like coding was in the early 2000s. Those who learn it now won’t just use the tools, they’ll shape how they’re built, deployed, and scaled. If women aren’t equally involved, we risk creating a future of work that’s missing half the perspective, half the empathy, and half the potential.

Yet, there are inspiring examples of women already redefining the AI landscape. The 2025 “Top 10 Women in AI” list by AI Magazine features global trailblazers—from researchers driving breakthroughs in AI ethics to leaders spearheading responsible GenAI adoption in enterprises. 

These examples show that when women reach the upper echelons of AI, they influence, not just technology, but how it serves the society. It’s a reminder that inclusion at the top is as critical as participation at the grassroots.

GenAI built by women = GenAI that works better for everyone
At Axtria, we’ve seen this in action. One of our AI-based commercial analytics initiatives, a cross-functional team led by women, drove both the development and deployment of the model. 

The result? A solution that reached the market faster, with outputs that were not only more intuitive, but also more sensitive to embedded biases.

When more women participate in GenAI’s evolution, the outcomes don’t just improve: they become more human-centered and more aligned with real-world needs.

Redefining the future: From inclusion to leadership
The conversation can’t stop at closing the gap. Women have the potential to lead in AI, not only as developers and engineers, but as the architects of design principles, the guardians of ethics, and the voices shaping global AI governance and policy. 

A truly inclusive AI future means women are setting the guardrails, deciding how AI interacts with humans, and influencing the international standards that will govern this technology for decades. 

By placing women in positions of influence in ethics boards, regulatory bodies, and global think tanks, we’re not just ensuring fairness—we’re redefining what responsible AI looks like.

Three principles to shape a more inclusive GenAI future

Collaboration: Build Together, Rise Together
Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn't. Especially in tech! In India alone, we see incredibly bright early-career women drop out of the industry either due to layoffs, burnout, or a lack of upskilling support. What if we could change that?

Imagine having a  Skill Lab Consortium: a cross-company space where women can work on GenAI projects, find peer mentoring, and grow in a safe, supported, real-world learning environment.

Picture a young developer in Pune facing a layoff. Instead of falling behind, she gets to join a lab, work on meaningful AI use cases, and re-enter the workforce stronger than ever.

That’s not just reskilling. That’s resilience-building.

Equality: Not Just a Seat at the Table: A Real Path Forward
Saying that “we support diversity” isn’t enough. Inclusion, without equity, is like giving someone a map but not the road. We need to back women with actual structures:
• Equal pay and promotions
• Flexible work and caregiver support
• Re-entry programs for mid-career women
• Mentorship that turns into sponsorship.

And, here’s the key: ‘male allyship matters’. At Axtria, we’ve seen male leaders actively open doors—sponsoring women into leadership, advocating for policies that support work-life balance, and treating equity as a business priority, not a side initiative.

As Melinda Gates said, “When we invest in women, we invest in the people who invest in everyone else.”

Community: From Belonging to Becoming
The next generation doesn’t just want to be included—they want to lead. But too many young women still feel like outsiders in the world of tech, especially GenAI. We started something small, but mighty: ‘Accountability Partners’. 

Two teammates set shared learning goals and check in on their progress. One Gen Z analyst told me this made GenAI feel “less like homework and more like a challenge we were taking on together.”

That’s how we create confidence—not through top-down training but instead, peer-led exploration that builds skill and agency.

This isn’t just a tech revolution: It’s a leadership revolution
GenAI isn’t just reshaping technology: it’s redefining leadership. This revolution is unfolding not only in labs but also in boardrooms, classrooms, and everyday conversations. 

The decisions we make now about who gets to participate, influence, and innovate will shape the future of AI. To truly unlock its potential, we must ensure women everywhere, from students in Bengaluru to engineers in Hyderabad and and the C-Suites of Silicon Valley, have the visibilit, have the visibility, voice, and tools to lead. 

And, here’s the challenge: What, if every tech company committed to filling 50% of GenAI leadership roles with women by 2030? This is the kind of bold goal that demands leadership commitment, public accountability, and clear timelines. Because, without strong sponsorship from the top, equity in AI will remain an aspiration rather than an achievement.

When women lead in AI, the result isn’t just more innovative technology, it’s stronger businesses, more inclusive societies, and a future that works for everyone. Let’s build that future, together.

-- Sonia Ann Vergis, Principal at Axtria.