President Murmu Launches ‘Skill the Nation’ AI Challenge to Build Future-Ready Workforce

Thursday marked the inauguration of the Skill the Nation AI Challenge by President Droupadi Murmur. The event was a major ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship (MSDE) initiative to accelerate the acquiring of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) skills and to prepare India's workforce for a rapidly changing digital economy. The launch of the program at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre was in line with the government's emphasis on future, ready skills as AI continues to reshape the world economies and societies. 

Addressing the audience, President Murmu stated that artificial intelligence is changing the entire education, work, and service delivery process and is being used to solve complex problems all over the world. She further asserted that for a young and aspirational country like India, AI is a powerful tool to drive inclusive growth and bring about a positive social change.

The challenge aims at creating a large number of participants in AI learning and innovation. This will help millions of learners get access to the AI ecosystem, upgrade their skills, and get them ready for a future, oriented workforce, she added.

Highlighting India's focus on technology for the benefit of its people, the President stated that artificial intelligence should be a tool for citizens' empowerment, a means to include more people and a way to open up new possibilities to the society and economy of any strata. The President emphasised the importance of AI benefiting people of every age and background, especially those coming from the most disadvantaged communities.

Identifying AI as a major accelerator for India's economy, she mentioned that the technology could become a substantial source of GDP growth, new jobs generation and increased productivity, if only it is created and used in a safe manner.

During the event, President Murmu conferred AI certificates on students and Members of Parliament who successfully completed courses under the MSDE’s Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative. The programme features brief introductory modules of 10, 15 hours and in- depth courses ranging from 30, 60 hours that cover AI fundamentals, data science, analytics, and applied AI skills. She motivated the participants by telling them that technology must be used to serve society and solve real world problems.

SOAR has so far certified 14, 938 learners out of 1, 59, 732 enrolled participants since its launch on July 15. Certifications are awarded under the Skill India Mission in collaboration with industry partners such as Microsoft and HCLTech.

The President also inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur in Odisha. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the initiatives mark another important step towards democratising AI knowledge and ensuring that advanced skills reach underserved and aspirational regions of the country.