New Delhi: EY and Microsoft have jointly launched the AI Skills Passport, a free online learning initiative aimed at strengthening India’s AI talent pool amid rising demand for skilled professionals.
Targeted at learners aged 16 and above, the programme seeks to make AI education more accessible to students and early-career professionals. The India rollout follows its global launch earlier this year, which has seen more than 40,000 enrolments and 13,000 course completions.
The move comes as India faces a widening skills gap in emerging technologies. A NASSCOM–Deloitte report on Advancing India’s AI Skills (2024) estimates that the country’s AI workforce could double to 1.25 million by 2027, yet demand is projected to grow at a much faster pace, at a 25–35% CAGR. Another NASSCOM–Zinnov study warns that India may face a shortfall of up to 1.9 million tech professionals by 2026, signalling an urgent need for large-scale reskilling initiatives.
The AI Skills Passport includes about 10 hours of self-paced online learning content in English and Hindi. It covers AI fundamentals, responsible AI practices, and applications across sectors such as healthcare, finance, and technology. Learners also receive career-oriented modules on résumé building and interview preparation, with a verifiable digital badge upon completion.
EY plans to extend the programme through its corporate responsibility arm, EY Ripples, by collaborating with not-for-profit organisations to reach youth from economically weaker sections. Microsoft, which aims to equip 10 million Indians with AI skills by 2030, said the partnership reflects its broader goal of enabling equitable access to digital opportunities.
The initiative underscores a growing trend of public–private collaboration to build an AI-ready workforce, as India positions itself at the forefront of digital transformation.
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