Microsoft India and iCreate have joined hands to provide AI skilling opportunities to 11,000 innovators, startups, and youth in India. The participants will receive globally recognized certifications from Microsoft, boosting their employability and career progression. The announcement was made at the launch of ‘iMPEL-AI’ by Microsoft India, iCreate, and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY). The program will screen 1,100 AI innovators across India to become AI ‘most valuable players’ (MVPs) and focus on priority themes of healthcare, financial inclusion, sustainability, education, agriculture, and smart cities. In the second stage, the program will select and scale 100 startups across the country to build with Azure OpenAI.
“The iMPEL-AI program is carefully designed to foster AI innovation and product development with access to both mentorship and technology infrastructure that are needed by Indian innovators to build globally successful AI ventures,” said Avinash Punekar, CEO of iCreate.
Jean-Philippe Courtois, EVP and President, National Transformation Partnerships, Microsoft, said, “India is uniquely positioned to seize the extraordinary AI opportunity. We are already seeing incredible value from AI innovation in India, from supporting farmers with digital chatbots to transforming economic opportunities for underserved communities through translation tools.”
iCreate will collaborate with leading institutions and incubators in tier 2, 3 and 4 cities to democratize AI innovation in the country. The Northeast region and its innovators will receive a boost through targeted boot camps and AI-driven problem-solving initiatives to support grassroots innovators.
“We believe that partnerships are the way to accelerate the growth of our innovation ecosystem. The government is committed to shaping, nurturing, and catalyzing the future of safe and trusted AI,” said Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT.
Ahmedabad-based iCreate is a leading institution for transforming startups based on tech innovation into successful businesses.
This collaborative effort between Microsoft India, iCreate, and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) will provide a huge boost to AI skilling and innovation in India, aiming to empower and equip thousands of AI innovators and startups with the necessary skills and tools. The focus on priority themes and the partnership with institutions in tier 2, 3, and 4 cities demonstrates a commitment to democratize AI innovation and support grassroots innovators across the country, leading to the overall growth of the innovation ecosystem.
