Sunil Mathur 
A recent industry survey reveals that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have emerged as the most sought-after career paths among women engineers in India and other global tech hubs. The shift reflects the growing appeal of high-impact, innovation-driven roles in emerging technologies.
Survey Highlights:
58% of women engineering students and recent graduates indicated AI/ML as their first-choice specialization, ahead of fields like software development (21%), data science (12%), and cybersecurity (6%).
The survey, conducted by a leading ed-tech and talent solutions platform, polled over 12,000 female engineers across India, Southeast Asia, and North America.
AI/ML roles are seen as offering better long-term career prospects, higher salaries, and more flexibility, particularly in remote or hybrid settings.
Why AI/ML Is Attracting Women Engineers
Rapid Industry Growth: The AI sector is projected to grow at over 35% CAGR, driving demand for skilled professionals.
Opportunities for Impact: Many women cited a desire to work on “transformative technologies” with real-world impact, such as healthcare AI, climate modeling, and ethical AI governance.
Inclusive Work Cultures: Companies in the AI/ML space are increasingly promoting diverse hiring, mentorship programs, and women-in-tech initiatives.
Top Sectors Hiring Women in AI/ML
Tech Giants: Google, Microsoft, and Meta are expanding their AI research wings with a focus on gender diversity.
Startups & FinTech: AI-driven financial analytics, generative AI, and ed-tech startups are leading in hiring women engineers.
Public Sector: Governments are supporting programs to skill and place women engineers in AI projects under Digital India and Women Who Code initiatives.
Skills in Demand
Programming: Python, R, and TensorFlow
Tools: Jupyter Notebooks, Scikit-learn, PyTorch
Concepts: Deep Learning, NLP, Computer Vision, and Model Deployment
Expert Quote
“The rise of AI and ML is opening up inclusive career paths that appeal to women due to the problem-solving nature of the work, as well as the flexibility these roles often offer,” said Dr. Neha Rao, Head of AI Programs at TechSkilling India.
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