How companies are invoking women power in AI era – The Times of India

India Inc is striving to reimagine workplaces, championing inclusivity, diversity, and gender parity in a highly disruptive, tech-driven world to spark a pink edge.
Companies are ramping up efforts to attract and retain women talent with targeted leadership programmes, cutting-edge AI upskilling, and enhanced flexibility that nurtures work-life balance. In this drive for a more equitable environment, equal opportunities have taken center stage – eclipsing salary and benefits as a defining priority for women-signaling a shift toward cultures that prioritise growth, fairness, and purpose.
In the post-pandemic return-to-office (RTO) era, flexibility has become a lifeline for women balancing professional and personal demands. Over half of Indian employees – 52% – would leave a job lacking sufficient flexibility, according to Randstad Workmonitor Survey 2025. Women tend to place more importance on work-life balance, it adds.

Viswanath P S, MD & CEO of Randstad India, a talent company, says, “Women are actively seeking greater flexibility, meaningful career development, and upskilling opportunities, particularly in AI and emerging technologies. The demand for full-time remote work is also significantly higher among women.”
A bunch of companies including TCS and Accenture offer flexible work options, while some like Meesho include hybrid work policies to promote better work-life balance.
Govindraj M K, CHRO at Myntra, says, “We provide additional flexibility through our MynVive: Myntra Ramp-back Programme, which offers new mothers and primary caregivers options offering extended flexibility, such as sabbatical leave for up to 24 weeks and the option to work at 50% capacity for three months post-maternity.”
However, many companies are insisting on a strict return to office. Rituparna Chakraborty, co-founder TeamLease, cautions, “The result will be that organisations that embrace AI to enable personalised learning, hybrid work and career paths, and flexible working will be able to attract and retain the best female talent.”
As industries adapt to tech advancements, the demand for skills that align with innovation and adaptability has never been higher. As AI (artificial intelligence) and automation disrupt sectors, the workforce needs to be equipped with new tools to stay ahead of the curve. Yet, there is still a considerable gap in terms of availability, coverage, and quality.
Nishchae Suri, MD-India, Cornerstone OnDemand, says, “As AI continues to transform industries, investing in targeted upskilling programmes for women is essential to cultivate an inclusive, agile workforce.”
Encouragingly, job opportunities for women in India have surged by 48% in 2025, with notable growth in emerging tech fields.
However, to fully harness this potential, organisations must address persistent upskilling gaps. Chakraborty says, “Most AI training programmes are not targeted at specific issues that women face, such as the lack of mentors in tech and biased skill tests. The attention should move to the development of career acceleration programmes that are available to all women, free from bias, and in line with their work preferences.”
Flexible work models, structured career re-entry programmes, and targeted Learning & Development (L&D) and upskilling must anchor talent management for women employees, equipping them to navigate the future of work with resilience & agility.