Microsoft Collaborates with Government on India AI Initiative to Train 500,000 Individuals by 2026
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New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced a series of AI partnerships within the nation, highlighted by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government's 'India AI Mission' to train 500,000 individuals.
The MoU with India AI, a branch of the Digital India Corporation, is designed to harness AI for driving innovation, improving productivity, and promoting inclusive growth throughout the country.
As part of this collaboration, Microsoft and India AI will work together to equip 500,000 people, including students, educators, developers, government officials, and women entrepreneurs, by the year 2026.
Additionally, they will create an AI Center of Excellence known as 'AI Catalysts' to encourage rural AI innovation and assist 100,000 AI innovators and developers through hackathons, community-building initiatives, and an AI marketplace.
The agreement also includes the establishment of 'AI Productivity Labs' at 20 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs)/NIELIT centers across 10 states to provide foundational training for 20,000 educators.
This partnership will also prioritize the creation of AI-enabled solutions for critical sectors such as healthcare, education, accessibility, and agriculture.
“We are eager to collaborate closely with the government to ensure the India AI mission's advantages reach every part of the nation and make technology and resources accessible to all,” stated Puneet Chandok, president of Microsoft India and South Asia.
In addition, RailTel and Microsoft have initiated a five-year strategic partnership to propel digital, cloud, and AI transformations within Indian railways and the public sector.
A recent study by IDC, commissioned by Microsoft, revealed that AI adoption in India soared from 63 percent in 2023 to 72 percent in 2024.
On the previous day, Microsoft declared its intention to invest $3 billion in cloud and AI infrastructure in India over the next two years, which includes setting up new data centers.
The tech giant also announced a goal to train 10 million individuals in AI by 2030. Already, the company has empowered 2.4 million Indians, encompassing civil servants, college students, and individuals with disabilities, with AI skills.
