Andhra Pradesh to Upskill Youth in AI with Microsoft Partnership
Amaravati, India – The Andhra Pradesh government has forged a partnership with Microsoft to equip 2 lakh young people with skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies. The initiative aims to boost employability in the state’s growing tech sector.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalized in the presence of Nara Lokesh, the state’s IT, Electronics, and Education Minister, at the State Secretariat. Representatives from Microsoft and the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) were also in attendance.
Microsoft and the government will work to develop AI skills for the youth.
According to a statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office, the primary goal of the agreement is to cultivate essential skills in AI and cutting-edge technologies through vocational education. The training will target secondary school students and young adults, equipping them with the expertise required for IT and other industries within the state.
Minister Nara Lokesh stated that Microsoft will provide skill development training to over 2 lakh youth within one year. He asserted that this training will help young people seize global opportunities in AI and related technologies, leading to job placements.
Microsoft’s training program encompasses various aspects, including:
- Training 500 teachers and 10,000 engineering students from 50 rural engineering colleges in AI and cloud computing.
- Providing AI training in digital productivity to 30,000 students from 30 ITIs.
- Offering AI skills training to 40,000 young people, facilitating the introduction of “passport to earning 2.0” in the state.
- Providing training to an additional 20,000 individuals in collaboration with the Union Labour and Employment Ministry.
- Conducting 100 hours of AI training for 50,000 people to improve public services and build capacity among government officials.
The APSSDC will subsequently implement a civil services capacity-building program. Furthermore, AI upskilling and reskilling opportunities will be available to 20,000 staff members through a combination of self-learning modules, workshops, and webinars focused on cross-departmental collaboration. The AP Skill Development Corporation will provide the necessary infrastructure for AI training efforts in the relevant areas.
Microsoft will also coordinate closely with the involved departments to deliver AI training and will supply the required training and certification to incorporate AI curriculum into educational institutions, Lokesh noted.
