New Delhi | March 24,2026 | SKY LINK TIMES
Govt Launches AI Skilling Drive:
In a major push to strengthen India’s digital and creative economy, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Monday launched a national artificial intelligence (AI) skilling initiative aimed at training 15,000 individuals in the media and creative sectors.
The programme has been introduced in collaboration with Google and YouTube and will run in phases through 2026.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw formally launched the initiative, highlighting its importance in preparing India’s workforce for the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The programme will focus on key segments such as animation, visual effects, gaming, comics (AVGC), and media technology.
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Focus on Future-Ready Creative Skills
The initiative is designed for a wide range of participants, including content creators, media professionals, students, and developers. It aims to equip them with advanced AI skills to adapt to emerging tools, platforms, and workflows in the creative industry.
The programme will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), which will oversee its nationwide rollout, including curriculum design, outreach, and execution. According to the institute, the curriculum has been developed in collaboration with industry partners to ensure relevance and practical applicability.
Two-Phase Training Plan Through 2026
The AI skilling programme will be conducted in two phases:
Phase 1: Foundational Learning (March–June 2026)
The first phase will focus on building foundational AI knowledge at scale. Participants will undergo training through Google Career Certificates and Google Cloud’s generative AI learning pathways. Key courses include AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, Introduction to Generative AI, and the Generative AI Leader Path.
Completion of this phase is mandatory for participants to advance to the next stage.
Phase 2: Advanced Specialisation (July–December 2026)
The second phase will emphasize hands-on, project-based learning tailored to the creative industry. It will include modules on storytelling, YouTube best practices, and advanced training using AI tools such as Gemini, Veo, and Vertex AI.
15,000 Scholarships and Industry Collaboration
A key highlight of the initiative is the provision of 15,000 scholarships, which will enable participants to access high-quality training at no cost. The government aims to create a strong pipeline of AI-skilled professionals who can contribute to India’s growing digital content ecosystem.
Also Read:https://skylinktimes.in/uidai-and-google-join-hands/
Boost to India’s ‘Orange Economy’
The Ministry stated that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to boost the ‘Orange Economy’—a sector driven by creativity, media, and digital innovation. By strengthening public broadcasting and building an AI-ready workforce, the government aims to position India as a global hub for digital content creation.
Additional Announcements
Alongside the AI skilling programme, the government also launched two other initiatives:
MyWAVES, a citizen creator platform on WAVES OTT
Rollout of an Advanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and in-built satellite tuners in television sets to enhance access to DD Free Dish services
These initiatives collectively aim to democratize content creation and improve accessibility to digital broadcasting services across the country.
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