Satya Nandella, CEO of tech giant Microsoft is targeting to equip 20 lakh Indians with AI skills by 2025. The initiative called ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA is part of Microsoft's 'Skills for Jobs' program, which is designed to empower India's workforce with future-ready skills.

The president of Microsoft India & South Asia, Puneet Chandok, stated, “The ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA initiative is a significant step towards democratizing access to AI skills across the nation and reflects Microsoft’s deep commitment to enabling inclusive growth with technology.”

According to Microsoft's recent Work Trend Index, 90% of Indian leaders say the people they hire will need new skills to prepare them for the growth of AI. Furthermore, 78% of Indian workers say they don't have the right AI capabilities to complete their current work.

This initiative is a part of Microsoft's broader commitment to accelerate India's AI transformation. The skilling initiative is aligned with the company's responsible AI principles, and training will be delivered in partnership with governments, nonprofit and corporate organizations, and communities.

Microsoft aims to provide both basic and advanced AI training to 500,000 students and job seekers through 100 rural vocational education institutions and training centers. In addition to this, 100,000 young women will receive in-depth AI technical skills training through 5,000 trainers at higher education institutions in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Microsoft will strengthen its partnership with India's National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building, equipping 250,000 government officers with essential knowledge of generative AI and increasing their AI fluency.

Over the past three years, Microsoft is delevering more than 5,000 nonprofits in India with relevant, affordable, and innovative cloud and technology solutions. It has also helped more than 20,000 nonprofit employees use technology to accelerate their mission.

Trishaljit Sethi, Director General (Training), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, quoted, “In the years ahead, AI innovation will play a pivotal role in shaping our future, and we at the Directorate General of Training, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, stay dedicated to realizing the potential of the AI era for India, in partnership with Microsoft and others.”

 He also mentioned that, the commitment involves equipping the youth with skills through training in tools that redefine how people work, connect, address real-world challenges, and live. Their institutions like ITIs, NSTIs, and their skilling platform are driving the skilling mission for the youth.

Microsoft has also partnered with the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building which aims to equip 250,000 government officers with generative AI knowledge.  The India Nonprofit Leaders Summit in April 2024 will engage 2,500 nonprofits to train 750,000 learners in AI fluency.