Intel India, KATHA launch AI course to train 1,000 girls

Intel India has partnered with Delhi-based non-profit organisation KATHA to launch an AI Data Annotation Course aimed at training 1,000 girls from the city’s underserved communities. The programme, part of Intel’s national Digital Readiness Program Portfolio, is described as the first initiative of its kind in India.

The course is designed to equip learners with foundational knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI), ethical data practices, and industry-aligned skills in data annotation. The programme will be offered free of cost and aims to create opportunities in the growing digital sector, where humans play a critical role in training machines to build intelligence.

“At Intel, our mission is to make AI skills accessible, inclusive, and impactful—unlocking opportunities for every child. This initiative equips learners, especially young women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, with the practical knowledge and path they need to thrive in an AI-driven world,” said Shweta Khurana, Senior Director, Government Partnerships & Initiatives, Intel India.

The programme is delivered through KATHA’s KITES Labs (KATHA Information Technology & E-Commerce School), which provides local access to digital education for first-generation learners. It specifically targets girls from families of daily wage workers, migrants, or domestic labourers who have had little or no prior exposure to computers. The course begins with foundational digital literacy and AI concepts, gradually introducing practical data annotation tasks to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for beginners.

Training includes AI fundamentals, data collection and labelling, ethical data practices, and hands-on experience using professional tools such as CVAT. Participants will be prepared for roles including data annotators, annotation specialists, and AI/ML data operations associates.

Intel India and KATHA collaborate closely in programme delivery, with Intel providing technical expertise, curriculum design, and industry-aligned frameworks, while KATHA manages community outreach, learner recruitment, mentoring, and hands-on workshops. Both organisations are also involved in tracking programme impact and raising awareness to ensure broad participation.

The initiative is expected to have long-term implications for employability and social mobility. By providing marketable AI skills, the programme enables first-generation digital learners to access emerging digital sectors such as technology, BPO, retail, and design, fostering financial independence and social empowerment. It also contributes to gender equity and inclusion in India’s AI workforce, promoting diversity and socially responsible AI development.

Founded in 1989, KATHA works at the intersection of building literacy among children and empowering girls. Rajesh Soundararajan, Executive Director of KATHA, said, “Partnering with Intel enables us to bring future-ready AI skills to girls at the grassroots, opening new avenues for skilling, employability, and social impact.”

The collaboration between Intel India and KATHA combines technical expertise with grassroots accessibility, ensuring that underserved girls gain both the knowledge and confidence required to participate in India’s AI-driven workforce.