The National Commission for Women has expanded its Yashoda AI initiative to Jalandhar, Punjab, as part of its continuing effort to improve artificial intelligence literacy, digital awareness and online safety among women.
The programme focuses on familiarising women with artificial intelligence and helping them understand how emerging digital tools can be used safely and effectively. Alongside AI literacy, the initiative covers cybersecurity, digital privacy and responsible online practices, areas that have gained importance as digital services become more embedded in everyday life.
Yashoda AI was launched by the NCW in May 2025 and is powered by Future Shift Labs. It has been positioned as a national AI literacy initiative aimed specifically at women, with a focus on extending technology awareness beyond major urban centres.
The Jalandhar programme forms part of this wider outreach. Through workshops and training sessions, participants are introduced to practical applications of AI as well as potential risks associated with digital platforms. The initiative seeks to equip women with the knowledge required to navigate an increasingly AI-driven digital environment.
The programme is particularly focused on reaching women from rural and semi-urban communities. Government data released in August 2025 showed that around 2,500 women from these areas had been trained under Yashoda AI since its launch. Participants included members of self-help groups, local elected representatives, ASHA workers, micro-entrepreneurs, students, faculty members, police personnel and government officials.
The training model combines AI awareness with digital safety. Previous Yashoda AI workshops have addressed areas such as cyber hygiene, deepfake detection and the responsible use of AI tools. The programme's broader objective is to help participants understand both the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies.
The initiative has continued to expand since its initial rollout. In July 2026, the NCW organised a Yashoda AI 2.0 programme at Vishwakarma University in Pune, bringing together women from self-help groups, academia, education, professional services and the social sector. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar used the programme to encourage women entrepreneurs to explore AI as a tool for economic participation.
Yashoda AI's expansion comes as AI literacy becomes increasingly relevant beyond technology-focused professions. Consumer-facing generative AI tools and AI-powered digital services are widening access to the technology while also creating concerns around misinformation, privacy, fraud and responsible usage.
By extending the programme to locations such as Jalandhar, the NCW is taking AI education to a wider demographic, with digital safety and practical awareness positioned alongside technical familiarity.
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