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Mint
5 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Yashoda AI: India's first Artificial Intelligence literacy campaign for rural women
On May 22, a women's Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy and digital awareness workshop was organised at the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The event is part of the Yashoda AI initiative, which aims to empower women to contribute meaningfully to a Viksit Bharat driven by technology and inclusion. Led by the National Commission for Women (NCW), the Yashoda AI Abhiyan wants to stand as India's effort to empower women, mainly from rural and semi-urban communities, with essential skills in AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Safety. Since then, Yashoda AI, billed as the country's first AI education initiative specifically for women, has conducted 11 workshops, reaching diverse segments of society, including rural women, first-time technology users, law enforcement personnel, and local leaders. Here is all you need to know about Yashoda AI: Yashoda AI is an initiative that seeks to democratise artificial intelligence by placing inclusivity at its core. Designed to bridge the digital divide and promote AI literacy across underserved communities, the initiative particularly targets women and grassroots stakeholders. Yashoda AI is a transformative model for responsible tech adoption. The program imparts technical awareness and contextual understanding, enabling communities to participate in and benefit from the AI-driven future actively. Yashoda AI is led by NCW in collaboration with Future Shift Labs, a forward-thinking policy and innovation collective committed to shaping equitable tech ecosystems, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of women-led development and a Viksit Bharat. The initiative was officially launched in May in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Since then, it has expanded its footprint through strategic engagements with local communities across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Gujarat, among other states. The initiative, for example, engaged with police officers in Moradabad in Western Uttar Pradesh, facilitating a cross-sector dialogue on the ethical use of AI. 'Women from the grassroots are not just learning about AI, they are asking how they can use it for their families, farms, and future. That is empowerment in its truest sense.' Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson, NCW said at the launch. Those behind the initiative say that Yashoda AI aims to ensure that women are not just beneficiaries of the digital revolution but active contributors to it. The goal is to democratise access to AI knowledge and create an ecosystem where everyone has a voice in shaping technological futures. 'Yashoda AI is not just about decoding artificial intelligence for the grassroots. It is about reclaiming agency in a digital age. We believe that ethical AI must begin with inclusive awareness, and that means building understanding from the ground up,' Sagar Vishnoi, Director, Future Shift Labs, told LiveMint As of July 2025, Yashoda AI has conducted 11 workshops, reaching diverse segments of society including rural women, first-time technology users, law enforcement personnel, and local leaders. Each session is carefully curated to blend accessibility with depth, making learning actionable and transformative. AI Passport and AI Literacy Toolkit are two significant tools under Yashoda AI. The AI Digital Passport, available as a booklet in Hindi language, is a personalised tool designed to help women track their progress and achievements while using various AI-powered applications. The AI Digital Passport, available as a booklet in Hindi language, is a personalised tool designed to help women track their progress and achievements while using various AI-powered applications. AI Passport supports learning across tasks such as everyday assistance with ChatGPT and Google Gemini, research with ChatPDF and Notion AI, creativity with Canva AI, and organisation with It also takes you through modern tools in vernacular languages such as Krutrim, Anuvadini, to name a few. This initiative empowers women to take charge of their digital journeys, fostering inclusive skill development and helping them navigate the evolving digital world safely and effectively. The AI Literacy Toolkit is a resource designed to help women understand how artificial intelligence impacts their digital lives, focusing on both its benefits and potential harms. The toolkit, also in Hindi, educates users on online safety, including issues like stalking, impersonation, cyberbullying, and data privacy. The toolkit provides practical advice on using AI responsibly, identifying fake profiles, and protecting personal information. It also informs women about their rights and the legal steps they can take in case of cyber abuse. The initiative was officially launched in May in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Since then, it has expanded its footprint through strategic engagements with local communities. Developed with support from the NCW, the toolkit aims to empower women to navigate digital spaces confidently and safely. Yashoda AI reflects Viksit Bharat's aspirations. Women from the grassroots are not just learning about AI, they are asking how they can use it for their families, farms, and future. That is empowerment in its truest sense. Yashoda AI is unique due to its grassroots-first approach to AI and it moves beyond the confines of elite tech discourse and actively engages those who are often excluded from digital narratives.
Mint
5 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Yashoda AI Abhiyan: India's first Artificial Intelligence literacy campaign for rural women
On May 22, a women's Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy and digital awareness workshop was organised at the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The event is part of the Yashoda AI initiative, which aims to empower women to contribute meaningfully to a Viksit Bharat driven by technology and inclusion. Led by the National Commission for Women (NCW), the Yashoda AI Abhiyan wants to stand as India's effort to empower women, mainly from rural and semi-urban communities, with essential skills in AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Safety. Since then, Yashoda AI, billed as the country's first AI education initiative specifically for women, has conducted 11 workshops, reaching diverse segments of society, including rural women, first-time technology users, law enforcement personnel, and local leaders. Here is all you need to know about Yashoda AI: Yashoda AI is an initiative that seeks to democratise artificial intelligence by placing inclusivity at its core. Designed to bridge the digital divide and promote AI literacy across underserved communities, the initiative particularly targets women and grassroots stakeholders. Yashoda AI is a transformative model for responsible tech adoption. The program imparts technical awareness and contextual understanding, enabling communities to participate in and benefit from the AI-driven future actively. Yashoda AI is led by NCW in collaboration with Future Shift Labs, a forward-thinking policy and innovation collective committed to shaping equitable tech ecosystems, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of women-led development and a Viksit Bharat. The initiative was officially launched in May in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Since then, it has expanded its footprint through strategic engagements with local communities. The initiative, for example, engaged with police officers in Moradabad in Western Uttar Pradesh, facilitating a cross-sector dialogue on the ethical use of AI. 'Women from the grassroots are not just learning about AI, they are asking how they can use it for their families, farms, and future. That is empowerment in its truest sense.' Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson, NCW said at the launch. Those behind the initiative say that Yashoda AI aims to ensure that women are not just beneficiaries of the digital revolution but active contributors to it. The goal is to democratise access to AI knowledge and create an ecosystem where everyone has a voice in shaping technological futures. 'Yashoda AI is not just about decoding artificial intelligence for the grassroots. It is about reclaiming agency in a digital age. We believe that ethical AI must begin with inclusive awareness, and that means building understanding from the ground up,' Sagar Vishnoi, Director, Future Shift Labs, told LiveMint As of July 2025, Yashoda AI has conducted 11 workshops, reaching diverse segments of society including rural women, first-time technology users, law enforcement personnel, and local leaders. Each session is carefully curated to blend accessibility with depth, making learning actionable and transformative. AI Passport and AI Literacy Toolkit are two significant tools under Yashoda AI. The AI Digital Passport, available as a booklet in Hindi language, is a personalised tool designed to help women track their progress and achievements while using various AI-powered applications. The AI Digital Passport, available as a booklet in Hindi language, is a personalised tool designed to help women track their progress and achievements while using various AI-powered applications. AI Passport supports learning across tasks such as everyday assistance with ChatGPT and Google Gemini, research with ChatPDF and Notion AI, creativity with Canva AI, and organisation with It also takes you through modern tools in vernacular languages such as Krutrim, Anuvadini, to name a few. This initiative empowers women to take charge of their digital journeys, fostering inclusive skill development and helping them navigate the evolving digital world safely and effectively. The AI Literacy Toolkit is a resource designed to help women understand how artificial intelligence impacts their digital lives, focusing on both its benefits and potential harms. The toolkit, also in Hindi, educates users on online safety, including issues like stalking, impersonation, cyberbullying, and data privacy. The toolkit provides practical advice on using AI responsibly, identifying fake profiles, and protecting personal information. It also informs women about their rights and the legal steps they can take in case of cyber abuse. The AI Literacy Toolkit is a resource designed to help women understand how artificial intelligence impacts their digital lives, focusing on both its benefits and potential harms. Developed with support from the NCW, the toolkit aims to empower women to navigate digital spaces confidently and safely. Yashoda AI reflects Viksit Bharat's aspirations. Women from the grassroots are not just learning about AI, they are asking how they can use it for their families, farms, and future. That is empowerment in its truest sense. Yashoda AI is unique due to its grassroots-first approach to AI and it moves beyond the confines of elite tech discourse and actively engages those who are often excluded from digital narratives. By embedding gender equity, content localisation, and context-specific governance insights, the program teaches AI and reimagines it through the lens of social justice.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Indian Express
A call that sounds like a loved one? Decoding the dangers of AI voice cloning scams
On a quiet Delhi afternoon, Laxmi Chand Chawla's phone rang. Since it was a call from an unknown caller, Chawla was reluctant, yet he answered. On the other end of the line, a man claiming to be a cop told Chwala that his nephew, Kapil, has been taken into custody over a sexual assault case. 'We are putting Kapil on the line,' the cop said, and moments later, Chawla could hear the panicked, frail voice of his nephew. Kapil told Chawla that he was innocent and that he did not know what to do. The cop took over the call and told Chawla that they could hush up the matter by paying Rs 70,000 to the party for not pressing charges. Chawla and his wife, Santosh, managed to collect around Rs 50,000 and transferred the money in a bid to help their nephew. At the same time, they tried reaching Kapil's parents; however, they were unavailable. Later, the cop called again, this time demanding Rs 2 lakh. The couple sensed foul play. Yet again, they reached out to Kapil's family. Much to their relief, they found that Kapil was safe and at his home. Kapil was unaware of any police case or phone call, and the couple realised they had been scammed. The callers had cloned the voice of Kapil to dupe his family. AI voice cloning is becoming increasingly common, with many bad actors using it to scam unsuspecting users. These scammers are not only stealing money but are also manipulating people's fears and vulnerabilities through advanced technology. In a similar case, Mumbai resident KT Vinod got a call from someone claiming to be from the Indian Embassy in Dubai. Seconds later, Vinod could hear the cries of his son Amit, who sounded scared. 'Please, bail me out,' Amit said. Owing to the fear of losing his son, Vinod did not hesitate. The caller insisted that Vinod pay Rs 80,000 immediately. While Vinod paid the sum, he only realised it was a scam after finding out that his son was safe at home. The voice he heard over the call was generated using AI to sound similar to Amit. Even though Vinod reported the incident, the emotional toll it cost persists. AI voice cloning gained momentum in the last few years. Today, there are 23,000 monthly searches on AI voice cloning. According to AIPRM, a company specialising in AI prompts, AI voice cloning was among the fastest-growing scams of 2024, and 70 per cent of adults are not confident that they could identify the cloned version from the real voice. Perhaps this explains the spate of AI voice cloning scams in recent times. 'Scammers need just three seconds of audio to clone a person's voice and use it for a scam call,' said Christoph C Cemper, founder of AIPRM. 'Even something as simple as repeatedly saying 'hello' during a blank call can give scammers enough data to replicate your voice. It is that easy and even dangerous,' opines Sagar Vishnoi, co-founder of Future Shift Labs and an AI & cybersecurity expert. The caller will typically claim to be a friend, family member, colleague, or someone you know. Ask the caller a question that only they will know the answer to, or create a secret phrase that only you and the caller would know. If they cannot answer with the correct response, it is likely a scammer. 🎯 If you only hear your friend or loved one's voice for a brief period, it could be a warning sign, as scammers often use the voice clone briefly, knowing that the longer it is used, the higher the risk of the receiver catching on. 🎯 If you are called from an unknown number, it can be a strong indication of a scam, as AI voice scams often use unknown numbers to make unsolicited calls. If the caller is claiming to be a company or someone you know, hang up and dial them back using a known number, either from your contact list or the company's official website. 🎯 Be mindful of what you share. Avoid sending voice notes or personal videos to strangers online, because once your voice is out there, it is incredibly easy to misuse. 'Whenever you receive a suspicious call, stay calm. Talk to your family about a secret code or phrase only you know. It's one of the simplest ways to stay a step ahead of voice-based scams,' says Sagar Vishnoi. 'AI scams have seen a huge rise in recent years, but 2025 may prove to be the most dangerous year yet, with developments in AI and scammers' tactics growing more sophisticated. As a result, understanding how to detect and avoid falling victim to these scams is crucial to prevent fraud and financial loss. It is crucial to follow the above advice and take caution if you receive any unexpected calls or texts that seem too 'urgent' or don't feel right. However, some people will unfortunately be caught out by fraudsters,' Cemper added. 🎯Register a complaint: Report the scam to a government agency dealing with scams and cybercrime. Register a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal ( or call the 1930 helpline. Provide as much information as possible on the website about the scam. 🎯Halt transactions: Freeze your bank cards immediately; this is a quick and essential step to ensure scammers cannot access your financial accounts or apply for loans in your name. 🎯Change passwords: Make sure to change your passwords, especially if you use the same passwords for multiple accounts, and ensure these are all unique and strong across all accounts. It is also a good idea to use two-factor or multi-factor authentication to add extra layers of security. 🎯Report AI scams: It is crucial to report AI scams, even if you feel embarrassed or think that the amount is too small to warrant action. No matter how big or small the scam, reporting it helps not only you but also contributes to building data on scams, which allows authorities to take action against fraudsters. 'These scams work not because people are careless but because the emotional weight of hearing a loved one in distress can override logic. Scammers are exploiting this with increasing precision. AI tools can now recreate voice tone, emotion, and even pauses with frightening accuracy, and they only need a short clip to do it. This changes how we think about trust and verification. From everyday people to businesses, we need new rules of engagement. Simple callbacks, identity confirmation, and extra checks may feel inconvenient, but they'll become essential,' suggests Apurv Agrawal, co-founder & CEO of SquadStack. According to Agrawal, better detection tools and safeguards in critical workflows are a must, along with greater public awareness around AI-generated voices and impersonation scams. 'In particular, companies providing AI-driven customer experience solutions must recognise that the key to combating voice scams lies in real-time detection and multi-layered identity checks that go beyond traditional authentication. AI gives us powerful tools, but it also lowers the cost of deception. We need to keep up not just technologically, but emotionally and socially too.' The Safe Side As the world evolves, the digital landscape does too, bringing new opportunities—and new risks. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, exploiting vulnerabilities to their advantage. In our special feature series, we delve into the latest cybercrime trends and provide practical tips to help you stay informed, secure, and vigilant online.
