Women students outperform men in AI development, study shows

The study, dubbed ‘AI Core’, was conducted among 70 Karnataka students from a wide range of backgrounds over a period of 10 weeks, from December to February

A study conducted among Karnataka students by a United Kingdom Artificial Intelligence (AI) course has found that women students outperformed their male counterparts in AI development.

The intensive, practical course sponsored by the British High Commission in India as part of the UK-India Tech Partnership initiative, dubbed ‘AI Core’, was conducted among 70 Karnataka students from a wide range of backgrounds over a period of 10 weeks, from December to February.

Students were presented with regular knowledge and practical tests.

“Overall, the women students who made up 40% of the cohort outperformed their male peers,” the British High Commission said in a statement, adding that this was particularly surprising considering that all the students with non-STEM backgrounds were women, and thus often started from a lower base.

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The over 30 age group also achieved higher than average marks. The economic background of students appeared to have no bearing on their attainment.

“This initiative demonstrates that you cannot be too old, too inexperienced in science, too poor or too ‘female’ to acquire skills and be part of the revolution,” said Karen McLuskie, head of the UK-India Tech Partnership.

AI Core is one of the UK’s biggest names in skilling and aims to develop the world’s most practical AI talent.

It was founded by the alumni of Imperial College.