Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is championing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into India’s economy. Nadella believes that AI and related fields can contribute up to $500 billion towards India’s goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy. During his trip to India, he announced Microsoft’s plan to train 2 million Indians in AI skills by 2025.
The ambitious initiative, known as ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA, aims to equip students, job seekers, and women with essential AI skills. Microsoft will collaborate with governments, non-profit organizations, and corporate entities to deliver comprehensive training programs. A partnership with Tata STRIVE will facilitate training for students and provide connections to job opportunities.
The need for digital upskilling in India is pressing, with a PwC report showing that 79% of Indian employees see acquiring digital skills as extremely necessary in the next five years. Additionally, 61% of workers emphasize the importance of adopting green skills to support environmentally sustainable decisions.
Microsoft’s initiative aims to be inclusive across social strata, gender, and income levels. The company plans to partner with 10 Indian state governments to provide basic and advanced AI training to 500,000 students and job seekers in 100 rural educational institutions. This effort builds upon existing collaborations with the Indian Ministry focused on training Gen Z in digital and cybersecurity skills.
Nadella’s commitment to training Indians in AI extends beyond this initiative. Microsoft previously pledged to train 100,000 Indian developers in Azure AI usage, solution deployment, and coding proficiency. The comprehensive training program covers AI application and problem-solving skills.
In addition to training students and job seekers, Microsoft aims to empower women in rural areas and Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The company plans to deploy 5,000 instructors at higher education institutions to train 100,000 women. Furthermore, Microsoft aims to train 400,000 students in remote, tribal, and agrarian regions through three global initiatives.
India faces a critical gap in AI expertise as AI adoption increases. The Work Trend Index by Microsoft highlights that while 90% of Indian leaders acknowledge the need for AI-prepared workers, 78% of workers feel inadequately equipped with AI knowledge for their current roles.
Nadella believes that the growth of AI in India can contribute significantly to the nation’s economy. He projects that the AI-driven part of India’s economy could be worth $500 billion, accounting for around 10% of the country’s aim to reach $5 trillion. Microsoft is investing in both capital and human resources to harness the transformative power of AI and drive economic growth and technological advancement in India.
Microsoft’s commitment to AI training aligns with India’s aspirations for inclusive economic growth. The company aims to position India as a global leader in AI by fostering AI fluency at scale. Through comprehensive training programs and partnerships, Microsoft is paving the way for India to realize its potential for innovation and prosperity.
