Indian govt introduces free online training for AI skills in Indian languages
With the goal of providing young people with cutting-edge skills, Skill India and GUVI collaborated to create this online programme, which is recognised by NCVET and IIT Madras.
Highlights
- AI for India 2.0 launched on World Youth Skills Day
- The programme benefits from the partnership of Skill India and GUVI
- It has been organised in nine Indian languages
Every year on 15 July 2023, World Youth Skills Day is celebrated to honour young people's skills and abilities. It provides an opportunity for reflection on the required steps that countries and the international community should take to encourage skill development.
On the occasion of this day, the Minister for Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, launched AI for India 2.0, a free online artificial intelligence skill training course available in various Indian languages.
This program, accredited by NCVET and IIT Madras, is a collaboration between Skill India and GUVI which is an IIT Madras-incubated startup, specialises in tech learning in vernacular languages.
What’s the aim of AI for India 2.0 and its importance?
The aim of AI for India 2.0 is to equip young individuals with advanced skills. The programme is organised in nine Indian languages and seeks to break the language barrier in technology education, particularly benefiting youth in rural areas.
According to the official statement, Pradhan highlighted the value of providing technology courses in Indian languages. Minister Pradhan stressed the importance of technology being accessible in local languages and commended this initiative as a significant step towards empowering Indian youth and ensuring their future readiness.
The official statement highlights the significance of providing tech courses in local languages, referred to as ‘Yuva Shakti,’ and contributing to their skill development.
The minister added that India is a technologically advanced nation and that its embrace of digital payments is a success story. He expressed his happiness that GUVI has taken the initiative to provide cutting-edge technology to the individuals at the base of the pyramid.
Bhashini, one more initiative by the Indian govt
Apart from this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced ‘Bhashini’ during his speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on 4 July 2023.
Bhashini is an AI-based language translation tool, also known as the National Language Technology Mission (NLTM). The initiative focuses on leveraging modern technology to bridge the gap between different Indian languages.
The government portal aims to make AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) resources available in the public domain, benefiting Indian MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), startups, and individual innovators.
In his address to the heads of state from SCO member countries, including Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan, PM Modi expressed India's willingness to share Bhashini with the SCO to eliminate language barriers and promote digital technology and inclusive growth.
