Microsoft to Equip 2 Mn Indians With AI Skills by 2025

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, on his recent trip to India, said that the company will upskill two million Indians with AI skills by 2025 through its ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA initiative, a part of the Skills for Jobs program. Aligned with responsible AI principles, the initiative collaborates with governments, nonprofits, corporations, and communities for training.

The initiative, focusing on Tier 2 and 3 cities and rural areas, aims to bridge the skills gap and promote socio-economic progress. ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA will concentrate on three key areas – equipping the future workforce, upskilling government officials, and enhancing the AI capabilities of nonprofit organizations.

For the future workforce, Microsoft is partnering with India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and 10 state governments to provide AI training to 500,000 students and job seekers in 100 rural vocational education institutions. In addition, 100,000 young women will receive in-depth AI technical skills training through 5,000 trainers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, along with access to Azure AI services.

The initiative extends to raising awareness of responsible AI use for 400,000 students in remote areas, using global initiatives like Technology Education and Learning Support (TEALS), Farm Beats for Students, and the AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit.

“In the years ahead, AI innovation will play a pivotal role in shaping our future, and we at the Directorate General of Training, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, stay dedicated to realizing the potential of the AI era for India, in partnership with Microsoft and others,” said Trishaljit Sethi, Director General (Training), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. 

“The ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA initiative is a significant step towards democratizing access to AI skills across the nation and reflects Microsoft’s deep commitment to enabling inclusive growth with technology,” said Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia.

Microsoft's collaboration with India’s National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building will see the training of 250,000 government officers in generative AI, enhancing their productivity and transforming digital governance in rural India.

Alongside this, a Nonprofit Leaders Summit in April 2024, part of the Generative AI Skills Challenge, will enable 2,500 nonprofits to leverage AI resources, benefiting 750,000 learners. Microsoft will provide access to the Resources Hub for Nonprofits and LinkedIn for Nonprofits Resource Hub to maximize social impact.