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Artificial Intelligence is reshaping our world, but it can also reflect the biases of its creators, often reinforcing gender and cultural stereotypes. Many tech solutions have taken a one-size-fits-all approach, ignoring the complexities of gender and context.
Today's digital transformation offers an opportunity to not only automate tasks but also to break down barriers. Inclusive AI can significantly benefit women, particularly those who have been historically overlooked.
In this episode of the Analytics Insight Podcast, host Priya Dialani speaks to Murugan Arjunan, CTO of HerKey, a pioneering organization working to empower women in the workforce using inclusive technology. From gender bias in AI to global shifts in women's economic power, he brings over 25 years of product and technology leadership into the spotlight. The CTO shares how HerKey is helping women take charge of their careers and financial futures.
According to a recent HerKey survey, women currently control 30% of global wealth. Within five years, that number is expected to reach 50%, translating to over $30 trillion in assets. The company is now building tools that facilitate AI for women. It is creating pathways to ensure women in tech are prepared to lead in this new era of financial and professional power.
Arjunan says, “In India alone, women’s participation in the workforce is projected to hit 37% by 2024. This is a significant opportunity, especially given that countries like China and the US already see over 50% participation.”
HerKey is purpose-built to identify and close gender gaps using AI-driven solutions. From analyzing hiring trends to improving pathways to leadership roles, the platform tackles systemic inequalities at scale.
“Gender-responsive AI doesn’t just observe disparities - it acts on them. At HerKey, we’ve embedded this philosophy into every layer of our technology,” explains the CTO. He further added that whether it’s through mentorship networks, career acceleration programs, or strategic job-matching algorithms, HerKey enables women to overcome invisible barriers that still dominate traditional systems.
With a career spanning nearly 25 years, Arjunan’s journey began with product development at Telisma, a leading CRM provider for India’s banking and finance sector. Later, at Microsoft Research (MSR) in Redmond, he was exposed to product development at a global scale, a turning point in understanding how to align technology with business outcomes.
“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is this: technology must always enable business. Without a clear business purpose, tech becomes irrelevant,” the CTO shares.
This mindset continues to inform his leadership at HerKey, where innovation is driven by purpose, and every line of code is aligned with tangible social impact.
While HerKey is rooted in India, its mission is global. The organization plans to expand beyond India, tapping into the growing need for inclusive workforce platforms worldwide. Murugan Arjunan emphasizes the urgency of redesigning AI and tech systems to reflect diverse experiences and remove systemic inequities. “Every woman deserves the opportunity to grow, lead, and thrive,” he concludes.
Listen to the full episode on the Analytics Insight Podcast to understand how gender-responsive AI is not just a fairness initiative but a strategic imperative for economic growth and innovation.
