Microsoft, Digital India plan AI centres in Tier II and III cities to train 5 lakh people

The project also promises to set up 'AI Productivity Labs' in 20 skill institutes across 10 states to train 20,000 educators, and will offer foundational AI courses to 1 lakh students in 200 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

Microsoft joined hands with the government to ramp up India's artificial intelligence ecosystem, after it signed a pact with IndiaAI - a division of Digital India - to train five lakh individuals and set up AI Centres in Tier II and III cities.

The tie up aims to skill 5 lakh people, including students, government officials and women entrepreneurs, by 2026. As part of a Memorandum of Understanding, Microsoft will help drive the 'adoption and development' of artificial intelligence in India through this strategic partnership.

IndiaAI also plans to equip 1 lakh AI innovators and developers through hackathons and even has plans of an AI marketplace.

"By skilling 500,000 individuals, establishing 'AI Centers of Excellence', and setting up AI Productivity Labs, we aim to democratize access to AI, empower communities, and foster innovation, particularly in rural and underserved areas," Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia said.

The project also promises to set up 'AI Productivity Labs' in 20 skill institutes across 10 states to train 20,000 educators, and will offer foundational AI courses to 1 lakh students in 200 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

"This partnership emphasizes inclusivity by empowering underserved communities, promoting ethical AI practices and supporting startups to drive economic growth," Abhishek Singh, CEO, IndiaAI Mission said.

As part of the MoU, up to 1,000 AI startups will get Microsoft Azure credit as well as mentorship.

Another aspect that will be explored is to develop foundational AI models in Indic languages. The MoU aims to help India take leadership in building applications using AI.