India has started a nationwide AI training initiative to equip 1 million young people and small business owners with artificial intelligence skills within the next year, supporting the government’s goal to expand AI capabilities across the economy.
The program was announced by Union Minister for Electronics, IT, and Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw at the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference in Jaipur.
India Launches Nationwide AI Skilling Drive to Train 1 Million Youth and Entrepreneurs
Vaishnaw stated that “AI is no longer a technology of the future,” explaining that it is already reshaping key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing, governance, and infrastructure.
He highlighted that AI is rapidly changing how people live and work, making large-scale skill development an urgent national priority.
This launch also serves as a step toward the Global AI Impact Summit, which will be held in New Delhi from 15–20 February and marks the first time the event is hosted in India.
Previous editions of the Global AI Impact Summit were held in the United Kingdom, South Korea, and France.
In preparation for the global summit, regional AI impact conferences are being conducted across different states, with recent events hosted in Meghalaya and Odisha, and the Jaipur conference being part of this nationwide series.
Minister Jitin Prasada Highlights AI’s Role in Industry Transformation and Capacity Building
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada said that AI is bringing major changes across industries and strengthening capacity-building efforts.
He added that the central government has committed more than ₹10,000 crore to the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to create broad transformation through the adoption of AI technologies.
The Regional AI Impact Conference also marked the closing event of the Rajasthan DigiFest TiE Global Summit.
The conference included sector-focused sessions discussing responsible AI in public service delivery, the future of employment, and skill development.
Organizers explained that the event is designed to promote governance reform, economic progress, innovation, and inclusive development through the strategic use of artificial intelligence.
