“Don’t fight with AI. Learn to ask better questions,” – Ms. Anuradha, Tech Leader with 34 years of Industry Experience
Hyderabad, September 12, 2025: The Ladies Wing Committee of the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) organised a full-day, power-packed workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Women on Friday at FTCCI, Red Hills, Hyderabad. The overwhelming response saw over 200 women participating, forcing organisers to close registrations in advance.
Delivering the welcome address, R. Ravi Kumar, President of FTCCI, remarked in a lighter vein: “Women are intelligent naturally. Why do you want to learn Artificial Intelligence? And that too from men?” He went on to stress that FTCCI is a pro-entrepreneurship and gender-equality body. “AI is no longer optional. Women remain underrepresented in technology—this program aims to change that. The future belongs to Women in AI. I urge women to learn, lead, and leverage AI for career and business growth,” he said.
Dr. Tasneem Shariff, Chairperson of the Ladies Wing and Women Empowerment Committee, FTCCI, in her introductory remarks, said: “Today, we are not just speaking about technology; we are speaking about the future of humanity. AI is reshaping every aspect of our lives—how we work, how we learn, how we heal, and even how we dream. Historically, women have always been at the heart of innovation. Ada Lovelace wrote the first algorithm. Grace Hopper pioneered programming languages. And yet, today, women remain underrepresented in labs, leadership, and decision-making rooms.”
The keynote speaker was Ms. Anuradha A, Executive Partner, IBM. She recalled how in 1997 Garry Kasparov lost to IBM’s Deep Blue, a landmark moment proving computers could rival world champions in chess. “But instead of resisting, Kasparov proposed a new format in 1998 called Advanced Chess (or Centaur Chess), where humans teamed up with machines. It showed that AI could augment human capability, not replace it. The strongest teams were not the best computers or the best grandmasters, but those who knew how to use AI effectively,” she explained.
She urged women to embrace this collaborative spirit. “AI is your amplifier, not your enemy. Think of it as your digital twin—doing the mundane, so you can do the meaningful. Don’t fight with AI; learn to ask better questions.” “AI is multimodal—text, image, video, voice. It is for everyone, not just the elite. By 2028, one-third of interactions with generative AI will use autonomous agents for task completion.” “AI won’t take your job. But someone who knows how to use AI will outpace you.”
She highlighted how AI can already reduce task time by 25%, increase overall task completion by 12%, and improve work quality by 40%. “The future is human–AI collaboration, new careers, and higher ethical responsibility,” she added.
Mr. Mohan Silaparasetty, Founder of Trendwise Analytics & Program Lead – AI for Leaders at ISB, conducted hands-on AI demos, explained real-world case studies, and explored GenAI and Agentic AI applications. We will lose some jobs because of AI, but there is a time for it, he said.
The workshop emphasised why AI literacy is essential for women:
- Career growth – gain employable skills and upskill for the future.
- Entrepreneurship – use AI to scale businesses in e-commerce, healthcare, fashion, and education.
- Everyday benefits – smarter ways to manage time, finances, health, and safety.
- Confidence & leadership – knowledge that strengthens decision-making and independence.
- Networking – connect with mentors, peers, and industry leaders.
The day-long workshop had five sessions. In each session, a specific aspect of the AI was discussed at length.
The program was specially curated for women professionals, entrepreneurs, aspiring founders, and startups keen to harness AI for strategic growth. Participants walked away AI-ready—equipped with toolkits, insights, and strong networks.
Mr. KK Maheshwari, Sr Vice President and Mr. Srinivas Garimella, Vice President of FTCCI graced the occasion and Mr. Maheshwari proposed vote of thanks.