Microsoft to Train 2M Indian Workers in AI by 2025

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Facts

  • On Wednesday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella visited Mumbai, India, where he spoke at the Microsoft CEO Connection event. Addressing a crowd that included top business leaders and executives, Nadella announced that Microsoft plans to provide 2M Indian people with artificial intelligence (AI) “skilling opportunities” by next year.1
  • Part of Microsoft’s broader Skills for Jobs initiative, the ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA program looks to transform the subcontinent's AI prowess and equip people with skills they will need for the future. According to Microsoft’s Work Team Trend Index, 90% of Indian business leaders say new jobs will require AI skills, yet 78% of current workers lack such skills.2
  • ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA will specifically focus on development in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well as rural areas instead of major urban hubs like Delhi and Mumbai. Microsoft also plans to collaborate with national and state governments to provide multiple levels of AI training to 500K students and job seekers.3
  • A native of India, Nadella said that the country is “uniquely positioned to make the promise of AI a reality,” adding that the technology will impact GDP and urging countries to invest in AI. Microsoft has invested heavily in keeping up in the AI arms race.3
  • On Thursday, Nadella spoke to more than 1K computer code developers in Bengaluru, India’s “Silicon Valley.” In his speech, the executive said that more than 13.2M Indian developers are on the software development service GitHub and that India will likely pass the US as the leader by 2027 or 2028.4
  • He went on to say that Microsoft expects AI to contribute 10% to India’s GDP target next year. Meanwhile, a fourth Microsoft data center is currently under construction in India near Nadella’s home city of Hyderabad.5

Sources: 1Microsoft Stories India, 2The Indian Express, 3Forbes, 4Associated Press and 5ABC News.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Business Today. AI is the future, and India has great potential to become the world’s emerging AI hub. With the world’s largest population and millions of people with tech skills, India is well on its way to creating a great future, and Microsoft’s latest programs will take it to the next level, as employers in India — and around the world — report a severe need for workers with AI skills. The sky's the limit in India, and Microsoft is playing a big role.
  • Narrative B, as provided by KiowaCountyPress.net. American tech companies often talk about creating economic opportunities and promoting employable skills for the future; however, they seem to focus on everywhere in the world except at home. Amid the tech boom over the last few decades, millions of Americans, especially those in rural areas, have been left behind, yet there are no corporate outreach or education programs for them. 14% of the US population lives in rural areas, and they deserve to have greater economic opportunities.