Microsoft and IndiaAI, the government's artificial intelligence program branch, have teamed up to train five lakh people in AI by 2026, including government officials, educators, developers, students, and female entrepreneurs, according to reports.

Puneet Chandok, president of Microsoft India and South Asia, told PTI that the USD 3 billion investment that firm chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced would be used to develop the nation's human capital as well as its infrastructure, technology, and artificial intelligence capabilities.

"We had announced training for 20 lakh people last year. We have already trained 24 lakh. We have announced to train 1 crore people over the next five years. We have also signed an MoU with IndiaAI mission and as part of that, 5 lakh people will be trained," Chandok said.

In March 2024, the government authorized Rs 10,372 crore for the five-year development of the nation's AI ecosystem.

"We are also setting up one Centre of Excellence with the government on IndiaAI mission," Chandok said.

As part of the partnership, the "AI Catalysts" Center of Excellence will be established to support rural AI innovation in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and provide 1 lakh developers and innovators with resources through community development, hackathons, and an AI marketplace.

To support innovation and expansion in India's startup ecosystem, Microsoft's Founders Hub initiative will provide up to 1,000 AI startups under the IndiaAI mission with advantages like mentorship, business resources, and Azure credits.

To address India's linguistic diversity and particular needs, the partnership will investigate creating fundamental models with Indic language support, guaranteeing cultural and contextual relevance.

Microsoft and IndiaAI will work together to assist the creation of an AI safety institute in India by developing frameworks, standards, and assessment criteria for responsible AI development.