In a landmark collaboration, SAWiT (South Asian Women in Technology) and GUVI have partnered with the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to launch SAWiT.AI, the world’s largest women-only Generative AI learning challenge. This initiative is set to empower over 1.6 million women students enrolled in AICTE-affiliated institutions by offering free, online training in Generative AI, with a target of upskilling 500,000 women on September 21.

AICTE, operating under the Department of Higher Education, is responsible for the planning, formulation, and maintenance of norms and standards in technical education across India. The AICTE-SAWiT.AI partnership aligns with the national agenda to advance India’s AI capabilities and unlock a $1.3 trillion economic opportunity through Generative AI. This initiative aspires to be a catalyst for women's empowerment, aiming to skill and support 10 million Indian women in the AI and automation ecosystem.

The partnership between AICTE and SAWiT.AI offers several immediate and valuable benefits for women students and the institutions involved. Firstly, it addresses the urgent need for future-ready technical education by preparing students for an evolving job market through Generative AI upskilling. The course is available in six Indian languages (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Marathi, Hindi) and English, ensuring broad accessibility. The necessary learning infrastructure is provided, making it easy for students to complete the course.

The initiative significantly enhances student skills and employability. By participating in this program, students can forge valuable industry connections and gain expertise in Generative AI, positioning them competitively in the global job market. Institutions involved in the program are also poised to become leaders in AI education, enhancing their reputation and attracting top talent.

Additionally, students who complete the 15-hour Generative AI course, which includes Python and Gen AI, can earn one academic credit. The AICTE has recommended that participating institutions award this credit, thus integrating the Gen AI courses into their curricula under the National Credit Framework. This alignment with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) enriches institutional offerings and bolsters academic and professional credentials.

Moreover, the partnership includes participation in the SAWiT hackathon, scheduled for October 2024. This event will allow students to further hone their Generative AI skills, gain recognition, and compete for valuable prizes. The hackathon is a critical component of the initiative, fostering innovation and encouraging the practical application of AI skills.

Finally, the program invites student and faculty participants to join SAWiT, a women-only network designed to nurture professional success and entrepreneurship. Built on Kalido’s AI-driven platform, SAWiT offers a robust ecosystem for peer-to-peer learning, job readiness, and placement opportunities at scale. This network aims to create a supportive community that drives long-term success for women in technology.

Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “AICTE is leading the GenAI revolution for women across India in collaboration with GUVI, greatly benefiting from the world’s largest women-only Gen AI learning challenge, SAWiT.AI. By integrating Generative AI and Python courses into our curriculum, we are enhancing women’s skill sets and employability while fostering valuable industry connections. This initiative marks a significant step towards improving educational quality and creating equal opportunities for women in STEM fields”.

Anitha Natarajan, COO of GUVI, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Our partnership with AICTE represents a pivotal step towards advancing India’s AI capabilities. By equipping women with the latest AI technologies, we are aligning with the ‘India AI Mission’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ to ensure that women play a central role in shaping the future of AI. Our goal is to enable women to secure half of the emerging AI and automation jobs in India over the next five years, crafting a new narrative where Indian women lead the way in building a better, technology-driven world”.

This partnership is a major step in democratizing access to AI education, advancing gender equality, and fostering technological innovation. By creating a vast pool of skilled talent, the AICTE-SAWiT.AI initiative supports India’s aspiration to become the AI capital of the world, unlocking a $1.3 trillion GDP opportunity and climbing the economic complexity index rankings.