In a significant push to build a future-ready workforce, technology giant IBM has unveiled an ambitious plan to equip five million young Indians with specialised expertise in cutting-edge fields. The company aims to achieve this milestone by the year 2030, focusing on critical areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and quantum computing.
Building a Tech-Ready Nation Through Strategic Partnerships
The initiative will be delivered through the IBM SkillsBuild platform, a digital learning portal designed to provide students and adult learners across the country with direct access to training in frontier technologies. IBM plans to weave this emerging technology education into the fabric of schools, universities, and vocational training ecosystems nationwide.
A cornerstone of this rollout is a strategic collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). This partnership will concentrate on embedding comprehensive AI learning into existing academic structures. The plan includes extensive training for educators and ensuring students gain practical, hands-on experience with these transformative tools.
India's Unique Position to Lead Global Innovation
Arvind Krishna, the Chairman and CEO of IBM, highlighted India's distinctive potential in this arena. He stated that the country is uniquely positioned to spearhead the next wave of global innovation due to its vast talent pool and ambition.
"India possesses the talent and ambition to lead the world in AI and Quantum. Fluency in frontier technologies will define economic competitiveness, scientific progress, and societal transformation. Our commitment to skill five million people is an investment in that future," Krishna emphasised.
Focus on School-Level Readiness and Responsible AI
The initiative also sets its sights on foundational learning, targeting readiness at the school level. IBM is co-developing a dedicated AI curriculum for senior secondary students. This program will be bolstered by a suite of resources such as an AI Project Cookbook and a Teacher Handbook.
These educational tools are crafted to impart "responsible AI" principles and computational thinking. The goal is to ensure the next generation not only understands the immense power of these technologies but also grapples with their ethical implications from an early age. This national effort is part of IBM's broader global mission to skill 30 million people worldwide by 2030.
