IndiaAI, an Independent Business Division (IBD) under the Digital India Corporation, has entered into a strategic partnership with Microsoft to advance the adoption and development of artificial intelligence (AI) in India. This collaboration aligns with the goals of the IndiaAI Mission and emphasizes skilling, innovation, and responsible AI practices to foster inclusive and sustainable growth.
Key Highlights of the Collaboration
- Skilling Initiatives:
- Microsoft and IndiaAI will train 500,000 individuals, including students, educators, developers, government officials, and women entrepreneurs, by 2026.
- Innovation Hubs:
- “AI Catalysts,” or Centers of Excellence, will be established to foster rural AI innovation in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. These hubs aim to engage 100,000 AI innovators and developers through hackathons, community-building activities, and an AI marketplace.
- AI Productivity Labs:
- AI labs will be set up in 20 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) or NIELIT centers across 10 states to train 20,000 educators.
- Foundational AI courses will be introduced in 200 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), benefiting 100,000 students.
- AI-Driven Solutions:
- The partnership will leverage Microsoft Research (MSR) expertise to develop AI solutions addressing critical sectors.
- Support for Startups:
- Up to 1,000 AI startups will benefit from Microsoft’s Founders Hub program, offering Azure credits, business resources, and mentorship under the IndiaAI Mission.
- Indic Language Models:
- Development of foundational AI models with support for Indic languages to address India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
- Datasets and AI Safety:
- The partnership will support the creation of robust and scalable dataset platforms with tools for curation, annotation, and synthetic data generation.
- It will also contribute to frameworks, standards, and evaluation metrics for responsible AI, including supporting an AI Safety Institute.
Strategic Vision and Leadership
Shri Abhishek Singh, CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, emphasized the partnership’s alignment with the IndiaAI Mission’s pillars of skilling, innovation, and responsible AI. He highlighted its focus on empowering underserved communities, supporting startups, and advancing India’s AI ecosystem. Singh stated that these initiatives reflect the government’s vision of leveraging AI to drive economic growth and foster an equitable and sustainable future, positioning India as a global AI leader.
Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, reiterated Microsoft’s commitment to India’s AI transformation. He noted that the collaboration will democratize access to AI, empower rural and underserved areas, and accelerate AI adoption through initiatives like AI Centers of Excellence and AI Productivity Labs.
This partnership represents a significant step in India’s journey to becoming an AI-first nation. By addressing citizen-scale challenges, fostering innovation, and promoting ethical AI practices, the collaboration aims to build a robust and inclusive AI ecosystem. It underscores a shared commitment to positioning India as a global AI leader while enabling sustainable and equitable growth for all.