Sheema Tasneem of Cognizant said closing the AI access gap for women is non-negotiable to ensure inclusive economic development.

Failure to provide equal tools and opportunities risks leaving women behind during the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. This disparity could limit the ability of women to lead, grow, and succeed in a workforce increasingly defined by automation and machine learning.

Speaking during the CNBC-TV18 Future Female Forward series in India, Tasneem, who serves as AVP of Strategic Initiatives for Global Operations and the CMD's Office at Cognizant, focused on the necessity of equity in the AI era [1]. She said that as AI scales, the industry must prioritize keeping the human in the loop.

Tasneem said that the gap in AI access is not merely a technical issue but a barrier to leadership. Without a concerted effort to bridge this divide, women may find themselves excluded from the high-growth opportunities created by the technology [1].

Ensuring women have the same resources as their male counterparts is essential for maintaining a balanced professional landscape. Tasneem said that providing these tools is the only way to prevent a new digital divide from forming as AI becomes integrated into every sector of the global economy [1].

“Closing the AI access gap for women is non-negotiable”

The push for AI gender equity reflects a broader concern that the speed of technological adoption may outpace social efforts to ensure inclusive access. If women are excluded from the early adoption and mastery of AI tools, it could create a systemic leadership gap in the next decade of corporate and technical management.