In News:

The Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), informed the Rajya Sabha about AI for India 2.0 Programme.

Key Highlights:

• Launched: 15th July 2023, on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day
• Implementing Bodies: Joint initiative by Skill India and GUVI (an ed-tech platform incubated by IIT Madras and IIM Ahmedabad)
• Accreditation: Recognized by NCVET and IIT Madras
• Objective: To democratize access to emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), especially among youth from non-English-speaking and rural backgrounds.
• Key Features:

• Free Online Training: Offers no-cost courses in AI and ML.
• Vernacular Focus: Educational content provided in 9 Indian languages including Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada, enhancing accessibility for non-English speakers.
• Target Audience: College students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals, with a focus on learners from rural regions.
• Course Content: Includes expert-curated Python programming courses designed to enhance technical proficiency.
• National Recognition: The programme is nationally accredited, ensuring quality and credibility.

• Significance: This initiative aims to empower the Indian youth by equipping them with industry-relevant digital skills, thus aligning with the broader goals of digital inclusion and skilling under Digital India and Skill India missions.