Redmond, Washington: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has announced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing AI skilling opportunities to 2 million individuals in India by 2025. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration between India and the United States on AI norms and regulations, Nadella aims to foster inclusive socio-economic progress through this initiative.
The program, named ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA, will prioritize training in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, as well as rural areas, with the goal of ensuring equitable distribution of economic growth. Nadella hopes that global consensus on AI regulation will further facilitate this endeavor.
Speaking at a conference in Mumbai, Nadella underscored the significance of technological diffusion in shaping AI adoption worldwide. ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA is part of Microsoft’s broader Skills for Jobs program, designed to equip India’s workforce with future-ready skills.
A recent Microsoft study revealed that 90% of Indian leaders recognize the need for new skill sets to adapt to the expanding AI domain. Additionally, 78% of Indian employees feel they lack adequate AI competencies for their current roles.
In response, ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA aims to bridge this skills gap by offering training opportunities in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, as well as rural regions. The program seeks to empower individuals to actively participate in the evolving AI landscape, driving socio-economic advancement.
In collaboration with media startup Semafor, Microsoft is also introducing an AI chatbot into news production through Project “Signals”. This initiative aims to redefine breaking news delivery by incorporating diverse perspectives and leveraging AI capabilities.
Signals will streamline the dissemination of breaking news by organizing information and presenting varied viewpoints. While AI tools will facilitate news exploration across languages and regions, all content will be authored by human journalist.
