In a bold move to transform India’s workforce, Microsoft has unveiled the ambitious ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA initiative, which aims to equip 2 million people in the country with skills in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2025. This program, part of Microsoft’s broader Skills for Jobs initiative, seeks to bridge the AI skills gap and prepare the Indian workforce for the jobs of the future.
According to Microsoft’s recent Work Trend Index, 90% of Indian business leaders believe that new hires will require AI skills. However, a staggering 78% of workers currently lack those capabilities for their current roles. ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA seeks to address this disparity by focusing on upskilling individuals in smaller cities and rural areas and expanding AI fluency nationwide for inclusive growth.
“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 & South Asia. India has the opportunity to become a global leader in AI, and creating AI fluency at scale is a crucial step in that journey. This initiative aims to propel India into a promising era of AI fluency, empowering citizens across the country with the right skills to thrive in the age of AI."
The ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA program consists of three main components. Firstly, Microsoft will partner with the national government and 10 states to train 500,000 students at rural vocational centers in basic and advanced AI skills. This builds upon an existing collaboration on digital and cybersecurity training. Secondly, the program will provide in-depth AI training for 100,000 young women through higher education institutions in smaller cities. This will involve distributing Microsoft’s AI Trainer Toolkit and providing industry mentorships. Lastly, ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA aims to raise AI career awareness for 400,000 students in remote, tribal areas through initiatives such as TEALS, Farm Beats, and AI Guidance for Schools.
In addition to these components, Microsoft will help 250,000 government officers gain generative AI knowledge to deliver next-generation citizen services. Furthermore, the company plans to convene a summit for 2,500 nonprofits in partnership with LinkedIn, where organizations can explore how to leverage AI in their work.
During a conference in Mumbai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed his hope for consensus on global efforts to regulate AI. He stated, “I hope consensus emerges and that is what really helps, in some sense, the diffusion of this technology.” Nadella also emphasized his desire for the diffusion of AI to lead to an equal distribution of economic growth.
Microsoft’s ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA initiative signals the company’s commitment to empowering individuals across India with AI skills and ultimately driving inclusive growth. By targeting smaller cities and rural areas, the program aims to bridge the AI skills gap and ensure that all Indians have the opportunity to thrive in the age of AI. With Microsoft at the forefront, India is well-positioned to become a global leader in AI.
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