Can AI fuel gender equity at scale?
AI Kiran, a new $3M nonprofit initiative founded by Kirthiga Reddy, says yes—with a bold goal of enabling 1 million Indian women to enter and lead in AI over the next year.
Who’s behind the movement?
Kirthiga Reddy, former Managing Director of Facebook India, first female investing partner at SoftBank Vision Fund, and now CEO of Verix, is no stranger to building global-scale impact. With AI Kiran, launched on UN’s International Day of Creativity & Innovation (April 21), she’s shifting focus toward inclusive, tech-driven transformation.
What’s the mission?
AI Kiran is designed to spotlight, mentor, fund, and globally amplify women innovators in AI—particularly across high-impact sectors like healthcare, education, and sustainability. It aims to address systemic gaps while ensuring every milestone is verified via blockchain, enhancing transparency and credibility.
How is the initiative structured?
AI Kiran is being backed by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and hosted on the Manthan platform—a hub for science and technology innovation. The program is open to women across India, with access to learning, leadership development, and AI-based solution-building opportunities.
Who are the key partners involved?
The initiative brings together a wide network of collaborators:
- Nasscom, for deep-tech mentorship
- Aspire For Her, to scale access and reach
- AnitaB.org, supporting women in computing globally
- Youth Ki Awaaz, to amplify youth voices and community action
Other key changemakers like INK Women Foundation, Sairee Chahal, and Kameshwari Balasubramanian are also supporting the cause.
What makes AI Kiran unique?
Unlike many AI fellowships, this isn’t just about upskilling—it’s about ecosystem inclusion. The focus is on building networks of women who don’t just use AI but shape its direction, backed by global mentors and public–private partnerships.
Why now?
India stands at the crossroads of a digital leap, and AI’s role in this transformation is undeniable. But without intentional gender inclusion, the future risks becoming just as unequal as the past. AI Kiran is stepping in to shift that trajectory.
Final word?
As Kirthiga Reddy aptly puts it:
“Empowering women in AI isn’t just local impact — it’s global transformation.”
Source: AI Kiran via Manthan Platform
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