Tata Steel Foundation Empowers Over 600 Women with AI Skills at National Summit
In a significant move to bridge the digital divide, Tata Steel and its social impact arm, the Tata Steel Foundation (TSF), have successfully enabled more than 600 women from grassroots programmes across Jharkhand, Odisha, and Ludhiana to participate in the Tata AI Sakhi Immersion Program (TAIIP). This immersive workshop was held at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which took place at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, as confirmed in an official statement released on Tuesday.
Flagship Initiative to Boost AI Learning and Confidence
Organized by the central government and spearheaded by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), this workshop represents a flagship movement by the Tata entity aimed at bolstering learning in artificial intelligence, while simultaneously enhancing confidence and dignity for women in grassroots India. The program is designed to transform AI from a theoretical concept into a practical tool for everyday use.
The immersive workshop delved into how artificial intelligence can become a practical tool for livelihood enhancement, entrepreneurship, and everyday problem-solving. Through guided hands-on sessions, participants explored a wide range of AI applications, including business promotion, product design, documentation support, accessing critical information, and skill development. Trained mentors provided personalized support, facilitating small group learning to ensure effective knowledge transfer.
Diverse Participation from Across India
A total of 635 women formed a cohort out of 1,300 attendees at the session on Tuesday, with detailed breakdowns showing 311 women from Jharkhand, 315 women from Odisha, and nine women from Ludhiana. This diverse representation underscores the program's reach and impact across different regions.
The participants mobilized by TSF represented a wide array of community initiatives, reflecting the organization's integrated approach to inclusive development. These initiatives spanned multiple sectors, including health through MANSI+, livelihoods in agriculture, women's leadership via Disha, community enterprise with Navjeevan, Srujanika, and Pragati, and Tribal Identity programs such as Samvaad and Johar Haat. This holistic involvement highlights how AI training is being integrated into broader developmental frameworks to create sustainable change.
By empowering these women with AI skills, Tata Steel and TSF are not only fostering technological literacy but also paving the way for enhanced economic opportunities and social empowerment at the grassroots level. The initiative aligns with national goals of digital inclusion and women's advancement, setting a precedent for corporate-led social impact in the realm of artificial intelligence.
