Microsoft has unveiled a significant initiative in India to provide AI skilling opportunities to 2 million individuals by 2025. The ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA program, part of Microsoft’s broader Skills for Jobs initiative, aims to equip India’s workforce with AI skills, aligning with the company’s commitment to accelerate the country’s AI transformation. This initiative, guided by responsible AI principles, will be conducted in collaboration with various stakeholders including governments, nonprofit organizations, and corporations.
According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, a substantial portion of Indian leaders recognize the necessity for new AI skills among their workforce, while a significant percentage of workers feel they lack adequate AI capabilities for their current roles.
ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA will prioritize training individuals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well as rural areas, aiming to foster inclusive socio-economic progress in the AI era.
The initiative will focus on equipping India’s future workforce, upskilling government officials in AI, and enhancing the AI capabilities of nonprofit organizations.
To achieve these goals, Microsoft will partner with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and 10 state governments to provide basic and advanced AI training to students and job seekers. Additionally, Microsoft will offer in-depth AI technical skills training for young women, raise awareness of responsible AI use among students, and empower government officers with essential AI knowledge.
Furthermore, Microsoft will convene the India Nonprofit Leaders Summit to enable nonprofits and NGOs to leverage AI skilling resources and technologies. Nonprofits will also gain access to Microsoft and LinkedIn resources to maximize their social impact in the AI era.
Microsoft’s commitment to providing cloud and technology solutions to nonprofits in India has already impacted thousands of organizations and employees, and this initiative seeks to further accelerate AI adoption and skill development in the country.