Govt to provide free AI training to a million Indian citizens

The ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), under its Digital India Mission, proposes to provide training in artificial intelligence (AI) to a million citizens, especially to entrepreneurs at the grassroots level.

Union minister of electronics and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw stated this at a function organised at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi, to celebrate a decade of digital transformation brought about by the Digital India Mission.

The celebration marks 10 years of digital empowerment through Common Service Centres (CSC) the special purpose vehicle established to take digital transformation to the grassroots level.

Addressing the inaugural function of the celebrations Vaishnaw said theCSC operators, comprising VLE brothers and sisters across the country, have made a remarkable achievement by delivering the benefits of Digital India to citizens across the country. 

The country’s digital ecosystem has now evolved with digital empowerment now covering 90 per cent of the country’s villages. And India’s own digital payment app, UPI, has now overtaken international brands like Visa in daily transactions, Vaishnaw pointed out.

The minister highlighted the success stories of VLE Manjulata from Mayurbhanj district and VLE Rose Angelina from Meghalaya, who despite their difficult circumstances, acquired digital skills to empower their communities.

The minister also announced that priority will be given to VLEs in the programme to provide free training in artificial intelligence (AI) to 1 million individuals.

He urged VLEs to venture into ares like offering IRCTC services. He also committed to speak with state chief ministers to integrate state IT agencies with CSC-SPV.

Speaking at the occasion, minister of state for commerce and industry and electronics and information technology, Jitin Prasada, highlighted the success of CSCs in bridging the country’s digital divide. This is evident from the fact that the number of CSCs has grown from 83,000 in 2014 to around 5.50 lakh at present. CSCs now provide gainfull employment to over 74,000 women, he said, while emphasising the need to integrate Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) with CSCs.

The minste also sought increased role for CSCs in areas like spreading awareness, cybersecurity, and capacity building, especially in agriculture, health, and education sectors.