Women Leaders Build AI Skills Across Indian Tech Workforce

Two women leaders at global tech companies are proving that the future of artificial intelligence isn't just about technology. It's about people, skills, and creating opportunities for everyone to grow.

At the SheSparks 2026 conference in March, Kush Mahajan from Kyndryl India and Arunima Dhiman from BT Group sat down to discuss how they're helping workers embrace AI without fear. Their message was clear: AI won't replace human judgment, it will free people up to make better decisions.

Mahajan shared how she uses AI tools like Copilot to summarize emails and manage her workload. But she emphasized that the real value comes from having more time for critical thinking. "AI is going to make my life simpler and help me do things faster, but it is also giving me the time and space to make a judgment," she explained.

Dhiman, who has worked across aviation, banking, and telecom, agreed. At BT Group's center in Delhi, she's seen how AI helps teams handle complex datasets efficiently while keeping the human touch central to every decision.

Both leaders addressed a persistent challenge: women make up just 25% of data scientists globally, and even fewer work as AI specialists. Mahajan traced this gap back to early experiences, sharing how her father encouraged her to overcome self-doubt by learning to ride a bike. Today, she's ridden over 100,000 kilometers and applies that same boldness to her career.

She urged women to step into AI and data roles with confidence. "These are not domains reserved for men," she said, encouraging women to lead discussions and decision-making without hesitation.

Why This Inspires

Dhiman focused on creating real ownership for women in AI-driven roles like customer experience and risk management. At her organization, women aren't just participating in AI projects, they're architecting entire programs. "It is important as an organization to create opportunities for women, not just at a transactional level, but as decision-makers," she said.

Both leaders stressed the importance of continuous learning. At Kyndryl, employees have access to AI platforms and certifications, with roles evolving so rapidly that upskilling has become essential every six months.

Mahajan introduced the concept of "anchorship," going beyond mentorship to find sponsors who actively advocate for women's careers. She challenged organizations to pledge support for women in client-facing and critical roles, not just support positions.

The most powerful advice came at the end: progress over perfection. Women don't need to become AI experts before diving in, they just need to start learning, experimenting, and claiming their space in this rapidly evolving field.