There was a time when the field of information technology was largely seen as a male-dominated space. Today, that perception is steadily changing. In Nepal, women are not only entering highly technical fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, but are also taking on leadership roles and actively participating to shape the future of innovation.
At Fusemachines, the journeys of Pralisha Kansakar, ML Engineer, and Bishakha Pande, AI Services Manager, reflect that change. Although they come from different academic and professional backgrounds, both have built successful careers in AI through curiosity, persistence, and a commitment to continuous learning.
A strong technical foundation and a clear sense of direction
Pralisha Kansakar’s journey into AI began with a strong academic background. She graduated in 2019 with a degree in Computer Engineering from Kathmandu Engineering College, where she received a gold medal as the top student in her batch. She also earned the Dean’s Award from the Institute of Engineering under Tribhuvan University. Her interest in science and mathematics started early, and over time that interest developed into a clear passion for technology.
After graduation, Pralisha began her professional career as a software intern at LIS Nepal, where she gained experience in databases and data warehousing. She later joined Pathao as a Data Science Intern. Even at that stage, she knew she wanted to do more than work around AI. She wanted to move closer to its technical core and build a deeper understanding of how these systems work in practice.
That opportunity came through the Fusemachines AI Fellowship. During the six month program, she was able to explore advanced machine learning concepts and see how they could be applied to real world problems.
Reflecting on that experience, Pralisha says, “In college, AI was just a subject. But the fellowship helped me understand its depth and its importance in the digital world.”
She also shares, “I wanted to move beyond theory and work closer to the core technical side of AI.”
After completing the fellowship and moving through the selection process, she joined Fusemachines as a Junior Data Scientist. Today, she works as an ML Engineer, contributing directly to the development of AI solutions.
A journey from management into AI
Bishakha Pande’s path into AI was quite different, but no less inspiring.
She earned her MBA in Global Leadership and Management from Hankuk University in South Korea. Her early career began in the travel sector, and she later worked on airport related projects. From 2018 to 2022, she served as a Project Manager at CloudFactory, where she saw firsthand how deeply technology was influencing business and operations.
Although her role was rooted in management, Bishakha increasingly felt the need to understand the technical side of the work she was involved in. She realized that without technical knowledge, it was difficult to fully understand the complete life cycle of a project. That realization led her to start learning programming and to become more curious about how AI actually works.
As Bishakha puts it, “I didn’t come from a tech background, but I wanted to understand what coding means and how AI works.”
She adds, “That desire to learn is what brought me to a role where I can connect management and AI engineering.”
Today, she serves as an AI Services Manager, helping connect strategy, operations, and technical execution. Her story shows that there is no single path into AI. With the right mindset, willingness to learn, and access to the right opportunities, it is possible to build a successful career in the field from a non technical background as well.
The realities women still face in tech
While progress is visible, the challenges are still real.
One of the most common barriers both Pralisha and Bishakha experienced was the low representation of women in technical spaces. Pralisha recalls that in her engineering class of 48 students, only 8 or 9 were women. That imbalance continued beyond college. In professional settings too, there were moments when they found themselves to be the only woman in the room during meetings or technical discussions.
For many women in technology, that can make it difficult to speak with confidence, especially early in their careers. Bishakha has spoken about how she initially hesitated to share her thoughts in technical conversations, often wondering whether she might be wrong. Over time, however, continuous upskilling and greater technical understanding helped her become more confident in her voice and her contributions.
Their experiences highlight an important truth. Representation matters, but so do mentorship, access to learning, and work environments that make it possible for women to grow into leadership roles.
A growing ecosystem of opportunity
Even with these challenges, the landscape is changing in encouraging ways. In Nepal, initiatives such as Women in STEM, hackathons, fellowships, and technical training programs are opening more doors for women who want to enter the technology sector.
There are now multiple pathways into the field, including academic programs such as BIT and CSIT, as well as industry driven fellowships that help bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical experience. This growing ecosystem is making technology more accessible to women from a wider range of backgrounds.
A practical perspective on AI and jobs
As AI continues to advance, concerns about job displacement remain common. On this issue, Bishakha offers a thoughtful and balanced perspective. In her view, AI itself may not replace people, but people who know how to use AI effectively may move ahead of those who do not.
That distinction matters. The conversation should not focus only on fear of automation, but also on preparation, adaptability, and the importance of learning how to work alongside emerging technologies. AI is increasingly becoming a tool that can extend human capability, and those who learn to use it wisely will be better positioned for the future.
Encouraging the next generation
Today, both Pralisha and Bishakha are helping encourage more young women to explore careers in technology. Their stories carry a simple but powerful message. The tech industry is not reserved for one gender, one academic background, or one type of career path.
With strong mentorship, access to opportunities such as AI fellowships, and a genuine commitment to continuous learning, women can not only enter the field of technology but also lead within it.
Their journeys are more than personal success stories. They reflect a broader shift in Nepal’s technology landscape, where more women are stepping forward, building expertise, and helping define the future of AI.
This article was produced through a collaboration between Hikmat Acharya (Fact-Checker and Investigative Journalist), the Youth Innovation Lab’s Future Front Initiative, and the PR team at Fusemachines.
