Andhra Pradesh Signs MoU with Microsoft for AI Skill Development
Vijayawada, March 13 (UNI) – The Andhra Pradesh government has entered a significant partnership with Microsoft to foster skill development among the state’s youth in the realms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies. The MoU, signed on Thursday, aims to equip individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in the evolving technology landscape.
Representatives from Microsoft and the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) formalized the agreement. Nara Lokesh, the Minister for IT, Electronics, and Education, was present at State Secretariat during the signing.
This agreement’s primary goal is to cultivate fundamental AI and advanced technology skills through vocational education. The program targets secondary school students and young adults, aiming to produce a workforce equipped to contribute to IT-based and other industries within the state.
Speaking at the event, Lokesh stated that Microsoft will provide skill development training to over 200,000 young people within a year. He emphasized the importance of this training in preparing youth for global opportunities in AI and advanced technology, ultimately leading to job placement.
“Microsoft will provide training in AI and cloud computing to 500 teachers and 10,000 engineering students from 50 rural engineering colleges in the state,” Lokesh explained. “Additionally, 30,000 students from 30 ITIs will receive AI training in digital productivity. Furthermore, training will be offered in AI skills for 40,000 youth, supporting the Passport to Earning 2.0 initiative in the state, while another 20,000 will be trained in collaboration with the Union Labour and Employment Ministry.”
Lokesh also noted that the initiative includes 100 hours of AI training for 50,000 individuals, focusing on improving public services and enhancing the capabilities of government officials. The APSSDC will also implement a civil services capacity-building program. The program plans to provide AI upskilling and reskilling to 20,000 staff members through self-learning modules, workshops, and webinars focused on cross-departmental collaboration.
“AP Skill Development Corporation will provide the necessary physical infrastructure for AI training in the respective areas,” Lokesh added. “Microsoft will also closely coordinate with the respective departments for imparting AI training. Microsoft will also provide the necessary training and certification to introduce AI curriculum in educational institutions.”
Also in attendance were Kona Sasidhar, Secretary (Education); Ganesh Kumar, Managing Director of the Skill Development Corporation; Dinesh Kumar, its Executive Director; Dinesh Kanakamedala, the South Head of Microsoft for Government Business; and Sandeep Bandwedar, Microsoft India South-Asia Director.
