As AI reshapes daily life from prompting movies (as in my book AI சினிமா) to powering apps, innovation is inevitable. But on #IWD2026, we must ask ourselves, Who bears the cost when unchecked AI harms women?
I'd highlight the dual edge. AI drives progress, yet women face amplified threats like deepfakes, non-consensual images (like recent Grok AI misuse), online harassment (16%-58% of women affected globally), and biased algorithms.
In India, where one in three women experiences violence, digital anonymity erodes societal checks, making abuse cross from online to offline.
Women make up only 22% of AI professionals (even fewer at senior levels), leading to tools that disproportionately target women. The article urges more women in AI design, stronger regulations (e.g., MeitY's 3-hour deepfake takedown rule), and early education on digital safety.
But true safety isn't just tech or laws; it's mindset. Gadgets like panic alerts or AI detection are reactive shields. Real prevention begins in childhood.
In Tamil Nadu schools, we already have gender clubs (expanded in Chennai 2025), self-defense for girls, and policies pushing gender sensitive curricula. I think it's time to build on this.
Introduce mandatory "Respect & Consent" modules from Class 5–6: Age-appropriate stories, role-plays, and discussions on boundaries, empathy, equality, and digital respect (e.g., "no means no" online/offline, avoiding harmful content sharing).
Govt should take steps to integrate digital ethics into value education. Teach kids about consent in sharing photos/videos, spotting bias, and ethical AI use—before they get smartphones.
It should begin with train teachers first. Mandatory sessions on handling sensitive topics.
Involve families: Parent workshops in schools to discuss online safety at home.
This will complement AI tools designed for vulnerability detection. Resisting AI is futile. But prioritizing ethical development + early mindset education ensures women aren't left bearing the brunt. In Tamil Nadu's vibrant tech creative scene, let's lead by demanding inclusive, women safe AI while nurturing respectful generations.
What do you think? Should Tamil Nadu pilot "Digital Respect & Consent" as a core subject? Share your views!
ISR Selvakumar
Author, AI சினிமா
Chennai
Data source :
World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report (2023-2025 editions), UNESCO data on STEM fields, NASSCOM reports and McKinsey
