In a move to prepare the state’s citizens for advanced skill jobs, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated skilling initiative AI Pragya (Artificial Intelligence Programme for Resourcefulness, Awareness, Growth, and Youth Advancement).

The programme aims to train 10 Lakh citizens in advanced digital technologies such as AI, machine learning, data analytics, cybersecurity, among others.

As per reports, the programme will foster technical proficiency across multiple sectors and will be a collaborative effort among the state government’s departments like education, health, agriculture, rural development, among others.

UP’s Centre for e-Governance (CEG) society under its IT and electronics department will act as the nodal agency for the programme.

To bridge the digital divide and create new employment opportunities, the government will collaborate with technology companies like Microsoft, Intel, HCL, Amazon, Google, Wadhwani Foundation to ensure high-quality training under the programme.

It is pertinent to mention that the programme, along with the state’s UP AGREES (Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening) project, is backed by the World Bank. The World Bank has offered an INR 2,737 Cr loan to the state government for a period of over six years.

The development comes at a time when both state and central governments are launching programmes to help people access new job opportunities amid the increasing usage of AI.

On the state front, states like Telangana and Tamil Nadu have launched programmes like AI for Youth, AI Mission (T-AIM), and more.

Meanwhile, the central government, too, has introduced several flagship initiatives to promote AI and digital skills, like PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, National Programme on AI, FutureSkills PRIME.

Earlier, the Centre earmarked INR 1,000 Cr for digital skilling and future technologies, including AI, under the Digital India programme. Also, INR 2,000 Cr under the IndiaAI Mission has been earmarked for AI research, skilling, and startups.

Not to forget, the Centre towards setting up a Centre of Excellence in AI for education.

In February this year, the government said that a courses under the fourth iteration of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 4.0).

The latest development also comes at a time when UP is looking to charge up its startup ecosystem. Fuelled by increasing digital adoption, a maturing investment landscape, and supportive government policies, the state now boasts over 14,000 DPIIT-recognised startups.

As per Inc42’s ““, the state has attracted over $8.6 Bn in funding since 2014, with Noida emerging as a key hub.

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