In a significant move to enhance India’s prowess in artificial intelligence (AI), Microsoft has unveiled the ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA initiative, aiming to train 2 million individuals in AI skills by the year 2025. This ambitious programme is set to catalyze India’s journey towards AI transformation and prepare its workforce for future job demands.

The launch is a key component of Microsoft’s larger Skills for Jobs campaign, which is in line with the company’s principles of responsible AI usage. The initiative will offer training through collaborative efforts with the Indian government, non-profit organizations, and businesses spread across the nation.

Microsoft’s recent Work Trend Index highlights the urgency of this initiative, revealing that 90% of Indian business leaders believe recruits need AI skills, yet 78% of employees are currently underprepared for their roles. ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA aims to close this skills gap, with a special focus on upskilling individuals in India’s smaller cities and rural regions, thereby promoting nationwide AI fluency for inclusive growth.

Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India & South Asia, emphasized the initiative’s role in making AI skills accessible across India and fostering inclusive growth through technology. “India stands on the brink of becoming a global leader in AI, and achieving AI fluency on a large scale is essential to that journey,” Chandok stated.

The ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA programme is structured around three main pillars:

• Collaborating with the national government and 10 state governments to provide basic and advanced AI training for 5,00,000 students at rural vocational centers, building upon existing digital and cybersecurity training collaborations.
• Facilitating comprehensive AI training for 1,00,000 young women through higher education institutes in smaller cities, including the distribution of Microsoft’s AI Trainer Toolkit and offering industry mentorships.
• Enhancing AI career awareness among 4,00,000 students in remote and tribal areas via Microsoft’s TEALS, Farm Beats, and AI Guidance for Schools initiatives.

Furthermore, the initiative will equip 2,50,000 government officers with generative AI knowledge for advanced citizen services and organize a summit for 2,500 nonprofits to explore AI applications in their work, in association with LinkedIn.

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