AI has captured the interest of C-suite leaders worldwide. Focusing on the increasing priority of AI across government and non-government sectors, Harsha emphasizes, “India is the mother of innovations. The Indian government is investing heavily in AI. India’s Finance Minister has announced the establishment of three new centers for excellence for AI.”
The demand for high-tech specialists becomes visible as education institutes include subjects like AI and data science in their curricula. Moreover, “the hunger to learn about data,” continues Harsha, “is location agnostic. Skill is location agnostic. Individuals in tier two and three cities are as eager to learn about data as anyone else.”
The results are visible through the enrollment of AI professionals, across India, in various courses offered by the Accenture Institute of Applied Intelligence. Harsha shares how Accenture’s initiatives are helping bridge the digital divide in India.
Sharing her views on Accenture emerging as a 50-50 workforce in the space of gender diversity, Harsha says, “Accenture is a diverse workforce. It is busting the myth that a person of a certain gender, geography, age, or religion cannot do something. Today we are leading from the top in terms of diversity. I&D is followed very consciously at Accenture.”
Talking about bridging the gendered digital gap, Harsha mentions two ways in which companies can provide equal opportunities for advancement for their female employees:
Showcase female role models who are a great source of inspiration.
Provide upskilling opportunities to women who want to join or rejoin the workforce.
Accenture’s policies to bring more women into STEM and AI include the ‘Career Reboot Program‘ and ‘Girls in Tech'. Harsha’s takeaway for all the women in tech is, “Women, keep learning and keep skilling yourself.”