Microsoft unveils initiative to equip 2 million Indians with AI skills by 2025

Microsoft launched a significant skilling initiative in India on Wednesday, aiming to equip 2 million people with artificial intelligence (AI) skills by 2025. The “ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA” initiative aligns with Microsoft’s Skills for Jobs program and its broader commitment to accelerate India’s AI transformation.

The initiative comes amidst a growing need for AI skills in India’s workforce. According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, 90% of Indian leaders believe their employees need new skills to prepare for AI’s growth, while 78% of workers lack the necessary AI capabilities for their current jobs.

To address this gap, ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA will prioritize training individuals in Tier 2 and 3 cities and rural areas, promoting inclusive socio-economic progress.

“This initiative involves equipping the youth with skills through training in tools that redefine how people work, connect, and address real-world challenges,” said Smt. Trishaljit Sethi, Director General of Training at the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.

“India has a huge opportunity to be a global leader in AI, and creating AI fluency at scale is a critical step,” said Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India & South Asia. “This initiative aims to propel India into a promising era of AI fluency, empowering citizens to thrive in the age of AI.”

What are the key areas of focus for the initiative?

Equipping India’s Future Workforce: Microsoft will partner with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and 10 state governments to provide basic and advanced AI training to 500,000 students and job seekers, expanding existing collaborations. Additionally, 100,000 young women will receive in-depth AI technical skills training through 5,000 trainers at higher education institutions. Microsoft will also raise awareness of responsible AI use and AI-enabled careers for 400,000 students in remote and tribal regions.

Upskilling Government Officials: Microsoft will strengthen its partnership with India’s National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building, equipping 250,000 government officers with essential knowledge of generative AI. This will enhance their productivity and transform digital governance in rural India.

Enabling Nonprofits: Microsoft and LinkedIn will convene the India Nonprofit Leaders Summit in April 2024, enabling 2,500 nonprofits to leverage AI skilling resources and technologies to train 750,000 learners in AI fluency and technical skills. Microsoft will also provide access to relevant resources to help nonprofits maximize their social impact in the AI era.

This initiative builds upon Microsoft’s past efforts in India, where it has provided cloud and technology solutions to over 5,000 nonprofits and helped over 20,000 nonprofit employees leverage technology for their missions. ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA signifies a significant step towards democratizing access to AI skills across India, empowering its citizens to thrive in the future.