Ahead of CEO Satya Nadella's scheduled visit to India next month, Microsoft has revealed significant progress in its ambitious artificial intelligence education initiatives across the country. The technology leader announced it has successfully trained over 5.6 million Indians in AI skills, marking a major milestone in its commitment to educate 10 million citizens by 2030.
Accelerated Progress Toward AI Skilling Target
During his January visit to India, Nadella pledged to provide AI training to 10 million Indians within the next decade. In a remarkable achievement, the company has now surpassed the halfway point, reaching 5.6 million individuals in just ten months. This accelerated progress demonstrates Microsoft's strong commitment to building India's AI capabilities and preparing the workforce for technological transformation.
Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, emphasized the significance of this initiative in an official statement. "India stands at a defining moment in its AI journey and what sets this moment apart is the nation's resolve to make AI opportunity inclusive. At Microsoft, we see skilling as the cornerstone of this transformation," he stated.
Government Partnerships and Micro-Degree Programs
Microsoft has established crucial collaborations with government bodies to scale its AI education efforts. The company partnered with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) at the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to implement comprehensive AI training programs.
The centerpiece of this initiative is a one-year micro-degree program called 'AI Programming Assistant' currently being offered across 33 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) throughout India. Notably, the program mandates that at least 50 percent of participants must be women, ensuring gender diversity in AI education.
One exemplary program at NSTI Bengaluru involves 1600 hours of intensive training covering essential topics including:
- Python programming
- Computer Vision
- Natural Language Processing (NLP)
- Generative AI technologies
Building a Future-Ready Workforce
Chandok further elaborated on the strategic approach, noting "By combining India's scale of talent with its strong digital foundation and by partnering with the Government of India, MSDE, and DGT, we are embedding AI learning into vocational institutions and communities nationwide. This is more than a program—it's a movement to build a future-ready workforce."
Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, endorsed the initiative, stating "As AI reshapes the world of work, our skilling approach must evolve to match the pace of innovation and opportunity it brings."
Microsoft describes these partnerships as creating a comprehensive 'talent pipeline' that will serve multiple sectors including manufacturing, logistics, IT-enabled services, and healthcare. The timing of this progress announcement coincides strategically with Nadella's upcoming visit, highlighting Microsoft's continued investment in India's digital transformation and positioning the country as a global leader in AI adoption and innovation.
