Creative accomplice, not replacement: How AI is leveling the field for women leaders

As Women’s Day approaches, the conversation around digital transformation and AI’s impact on the workforce takes center stage—especially in the creative industry, where human intuition, empathy, and storytelling are irreplaceable. AI is revolutionizing the way we work, automating repetitive tasks, unlocking new efficiencies, and even reshaping career opportunities for women.

For women in leadership, AI presents both immense possibilities and complex challenges. On one hand, it can break barriers, enabling flexibility, boosting efficiency, and opening new avenues for professional growth. On the other hand, it sparks important conversations about the delicate balance between technology and emotional intelligence. Can AI truly complement the empathy and intuition that define impactful storytelling? How can organizations ensure that AI serves as a collaborative tool rather than a disruptive force? And most importantly, how can women harness AI to enhance—not overshadow—their creative and leadership potential?

To explore these crucial questions, Adgully reached out to industry trailblazers for their insights on AI’s evolving role in the creative landscape.

AI: A Game-Changer for Women in the Workforce

Chandni Mehta, COO, FCB Kinnect, believes AI is a transformative force that is leveling the playing field for women in the workforce.

“AI takes care of repetitive, time-consuming tasks, allowing women to focus on strategy, innovation, and compelling storytelling. It acts as a powerful assistant, handling the grunt work and enabling creative energy to flow. Moreover, AI supports flexible work models, which can better accommodate work-life balance while fostering ambitious career paths for women,” Mehta adds.

Chandni Mehta, COO, FCB Kinnect

Nisha Singhania, CEO & Managing Partner, Infectious Advertising, echoes this sentiment, emphasising that AI is gender-neutral in its benefits.

Nisha Singhania, CEO & Managing Partner, Infectious Advertising

“AI does not have biases—it enhances efficiency for all professionals, allowing them to focus more on strategic thinking, storytelling, and innovation. It automates execution-heavy processes, creating space for creativity to thrive,” she emphasises.

Dipshika Ravi, National Creative Director, Digital, Schbang, highlights AI’s role as an enabler rather than a disruptor. She notes, “Women have continuously adapted and thrived in the creative industry, and AI is just another tool helping us evolve. While AI can streamline workflows, it’s the human touch—our empathy, intuition, and authenticity—that truly brings stories to life. AI helps refine storytelling by providing data-driven insights, but emotional intelligence remains at the core of compelling narratives.”

Dipshika Ravi, National Creative Director, Digital, Schbang

Adding to this perspective, Anamika Kumari, Associate Creative Director, White Rivers Media, sees AI as an amplifier of human creativity.

“AI is amplifying what we as women leaders already bring to the table. I've watched these digital tools knock down walls that once surrounded technical domains while simultaneously spotlighting what we've always brought to the table: intuitive storytelling, emotional resonance, and authentic connection.

The magic happens when we treat AI not as a replacement but as our creative accomplice—handling the mundane while we craft the meaningful. What excites me most is how AI lets us lead with our full creative arsenal, blending data-driven precision with heart-centered intuition. Remember this: in a world of automated outputs, our distinctly human perspective becomes our greatest asset. For creative women, AI isn't just a tool; it's an amplifier for our distinctive voices and visions, creating unprecedented opportunities to transform industries while staying true to our authentic leadership styles,” she concludes.

Balancing AI Efficiency with the Human Touch

Women leaders are often recognised for their empathetic leadership styles, an essential component of effective branding and storytelling. The challenge lies in integrating AI’s efficiency without losing the emotional depth that makes communication resonate. Chandni Mehta emphasises the importance of using AI to enhance empathy rather than replace it.

She points out, “AI is fantastic for personalizing campaigns at scale, but the human element—instinct, cultural understanding, and lived experience—remains crucial. AI can analyze data, but the emotional connection in storytelling comes from understanding the human heart.”

Nisha Singhania agrees, stating that AI should be an enabler, not a replacement.

“Empathy is at the heart of storytelling. While AI can analyse data and predict trends, it lacks the lived experiences and emotions that human leaders—especially women—bring. AI can assist in research, idea generation, and personalisation, but the soul of a story will always come from human intuition and creativity.”

Dipshika Ravi highlights that AI and human intelligence must work in tandem.

“AI increases efficiency, but it is an empathetic leader who can emotionally connect with audiences and teams. AI can recognize patterns and predict needs, but it’s human intuition, emotional intelligence, and the ability to nurture relationships that retain the essence of storytelling.”

Ensuring AI Complements Rather Than Replace Women’s Contributions

Nisha Singhania outlines key measures companies should adopt:

• Upskilling: Equip professionals with AI literacy to work alongside technology rather than be replaced by it.
• AI-Human Collaboration: Foster environments where AI enhances creativity instead of replacing human input.
• Ethical AI Use: Ensure AI is inclusive and does not reinforce biases in decision-making.

Dipshika Ravi views AI as an extension of existing tools rather than a threat.

“Like social media, automation, or data analytics, AI is simply the next evolution. It enhances and complements our skills, but it cannot replicate human qualities like empathy, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. If AI is used wisely, it frees women from mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on leadership, creativity, and strategic innovation.”