'Saas bhi kabhi bahu thi': Smriti Irani pushes for AI adoption by women at India AI Impact summit

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, former Union minister Smriti Irani called for a collective push towards artificial intelligence adoption among families, stating, "Teach the saas, teach the bahu, take the country forward because saas bhi kabhi bahu thi." Irani emphasized the importance of AI as a tool for women's empowerment and economic participation during her address at the Tata AI Sakhi Immersion Program. Drawing inspiration from the Mahabharata, Irani likened AI to a charioteer, a guiding force for women’s progress. She remarked, “Just as Lord Krishna guided Arjuna, AI can serve as a saarthi for women, guiding them through the challenges of modern life. The difference is that this saarthi operates through mobile phones.” Her comments were made during a hands-on workshop aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and self-reliance. Highlighting significant contributions of women to the economy, Irani noted that India boasts 10 crore women in self-help groups who have managed a staggering Rs 12 lakh crore in credit, returning 96% over the past decade. She pointed out that over 30 lakh women are engaged in handicrafts, contributing nearly Rs 33,000 crore through exports, while the domestic market sees an annual business of Rs 38,000 crore by these entrepreneurs. Furthermore, Irani mentioned that 4.90 crore women are part of the DISHA scheme aimed at improving access to justice, and 2.72 crore have received certifications in digital literacy. With around 1,600 attendees present, she urged women to take charge of their futures, stating, “Don’t restrict yourselves to the role of a passenger; you must control the steering wheel of the vehicle of development.” However, she also stressed the importance of responsible AI usage, cautioning attendees against blindly trusting AI-generated information and sharing sensitive personal data. Irani concluded her remarks with a hopeful vision for women’s roles in driving economic, social, and educational growth in the country.