Kirthiga Reddy Leads a New AI Movement for Women in India
On April 21, 2025, a powerful initiative called AI Kiran is being launched in India. It aims to reshape how women contribute to artificial intelligence. This isn’t just another programme — it’s a nationwide movement.
The idea behind AI Kiran is simple but strong: connect, support, and celebrate women in AI across India. It is a collaborative effort that brings together government, private players, and non-profits.
The timing of the launch — on UN Creativity and Innovation Day — adds more meaning to the initiative. It’s not just about spotlighting talent. It’s about building a future that includes more women at the heart of emerging technologies.
Why AI Kiran Matters Right Now?
India’s AI market is expected to hit $17 billion by 2027. The demand for talent is rising fast. But when it comes to gender balance, the picture isn’t so bright.
While more Indian women are studying STEM subjects than men, they make up only 33% of junior-level roles in GenAI. At the senior level, the number drops further to just 19%.
This gap doesn’t reflect a lack of talent. It points to a missing system of support, mentorship, and recognition. AI Kiran aims to change that.
Kirthiga Reddy’s Vision for Inclusive AI
At the core of AI Kiran is Kirthiga Reddy, the first employee and Managing Director of Facebook India and later the first female investing partner at SoftBank’s Vision Fund. Now, as the CEO and co-founder of Verix, she continues to break new ground.
Her belief has always been clear — women bring power, purpose, and potential to the table. With AI Kiran, she is setting up the space and ecosystem for that belief to thrive.
What AI Kiran Will Offer?
This isn’t just an online directory or a token gesture. AI Kiran is being designed as a long-term movement that combines digital tools, real-world mentorship, and global networks.
Here’s what’s coming:
- A digitally verified recognition system using blockchain technology.
- A vibrant community platform on the Manthan Portal, reaching professionals, students, and researchers across India.
- Curated learning modules, scholarships, leadership summits, and industry collaborations.
- Mentorship, branding support, and access to funding for aspiring women in AI.
In its first phase, AI Kiran will highlight 250 women leaders in AI. These are researchers, founders, educators, and changemakers in sectors like health, sustainability, enterprise tech, and more.
The Power of Partnerships
AI Kiran is being launched in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and INK Women. But it doesn’t stop there.
To make it truly impactful, it includes strong partners like:
- NASSCOM
- 100 GIGA
- AspireForHer
- Udaiti Foundation
- Youth Ki Awaaz
- Karya
On a global level, AI Kiran is backed by organisations such as AnitaB.org, SheTO, and Neythri. These partnerships will help create global pathways for mentorship, funding, and visibility.
Aiming Big: Reaching a Million Women
The initiative is ambitious. Within a year, the goal is to reach over a million women through its programmes. It’s not just about building individual careers. It’s about building an ecosystem where women thrive, lead, and shape India’s AI future. As Reddy puts it, this is a moment for collective energy — a belief that when women rise, societies rise.
AI Kiran is more than a platform. It’s a promise to do things differently. It recognises the need for inclusive AI development. It shows that growth is not just about technology — it’s also about who gets to build it.
To support this initiative, a $3 million fundraising effort is underway through the INK Women Foundation. The funds will support academic ties, international visibility, and global storytelling around women in AI in India.
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