To upscale the scope of AI in India, there’s a new initiative from Microsoft to train 2 million Indians in AI by 2025. CEO Satya Nadella announced the launch of a new program on 7th February 2024. The ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA program’s objective is to prepare the country’s workforce with skills to thrive in an AI-driven future.
Microsoft To Train 2 Million Indians – ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA Overview
A majority of Indian company executives are seeking potential recruits who are proficient in using AI. However, only 12% of the applicants usually possess the requisite skills, as indicated by the tech giant’s Work Trend Index. Therefore, Nadella wants Microsoft to train 2 million Indians in AI to fill the gap in skills by 2025. Through ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA, he wants to reach and upskill the masses of the rural and semi-urban regions.
Microsoft will team up with the Indian Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. They will provide preliminary to higher-level AI training to learners and prospective employees in 100 rural vocational instruction schools. Using Microsoft’s AI Trainer Toolkit and mentorships, women from underdeveloped regions will be taught about AI by higher education centers. Through Microsoft’s AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit, TEALS, and Farm Beats, children from tribal communities will learn about careers in AI.
Following Niti Aayog’s suggestions, the Central Board of Secondary Education intends to implement introductory AI lessons in classes 6-8. Microsoft will assist government officers in acquiring generative AI knowledge so they can provide modern citizen services. The plan of Microsoft to train 2 million Indians from rural regions will pave the way for equitable socioeconomic growth. With LinkedIn, it will organize a summit this year for non-profit organizations to use AI in their work.
Future Of AI In India
According to the Microsoft CEO, the IT sector will see firm-level disparities in early AI deployment. Businesses from a variety of industries are vying with one another for experienced professionals who can lead their AI projects. India Inc. is facing a tough talent shortage. BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, IT, and Communications are some of the sectors looking for AI experts. Companies like Ola, HP, EY GDS Consulting, Intel, and Amazon are searching for expertise in data science and artificial intelligence. Indian IT service companies like Infosys, HCLTech, and LTIMindtree are pushing the use of AI and Copilot. They are also personalizing the technology for usage inside their organizations.
India is offering digital services in their local languages by utilizing AI innovation. But, the linguistic diversity of India made it difficult. To enhance digital services, the government is creating linguistic datasets using Bhashini, an AI-driven translation system. In retail, public health, and agriculture, there is an increasing need for AI. Binny Bansal is developing an AI service firm with an emphasis on talent training. It will also provide services from India’s smaller cities to worldwide clients. With a focus on AI training in 12 Indian languages, the non-profit Indian firm Karya.ai is leveraging Copilot. The firm offers 30,000 rural Indians access to 40 million paid digital jobs.
With Nadella’s Microsoft to train 2 million Indians, the country’s AI talent pool will undergo a much-needed uplift. The program is anticipated to accelerate India’s ascent to the top of the global rankings in the AI sector.
