Microsoft Partners with MeitY to Skill 500,000 in AI and Establish Centre of Excellence

Microsoft has recently announced a significant partnership with India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to enhance the skill sets of 500,000 students and teachers across the country in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) by the year 2026.

Establishment of a Centre of Excellence

As part of this initiative, Microsoft will also set up a Centre of Excellence aimed at fostering AI innovation, particularly in rural areas. This center will focus on empowering local communities with the necessary tools and knowledge to leverage AI technologies for development.

During an event held in New Delhi, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella elaborated on the significance of this partnership, stating that it will drastically improve educational resources and opportunities in AI within India.

Microsoft's Commitment to Upskilling and Innovation

Nadella highlighted the importance of technology in enhancing learning experiences as he introduced various integrations of the Copilot feature across Microsoft's 365 product suite. In collaboration with Qualcomm, Microsoft also plans to develop Copilot PCs to further enhance educational capabilities.

In addition to the training initiative, Nadella, who is currently visiting India, has held discussions with government officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about facilitating AI and cloud development in the country. Notably, he has pledged to invest $3 billion in India, with a strong commitment to training 10 million individuals by 2030.

He also met with the Chief Minister of Telangana to explore further opportunities for economic growth, aiming to enhance Hyderabad's position as a leading city for international economic development.

This agreement is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to strengthen its involvement in India’s technological landscape and educational framework, recognizing the country's potential for innovation and growth in the tech sector.

Microsoft, AI, Education