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The Ministry Information and Broadcasting announced a national artificial intelligence (AI) skilling initiative on Monday, March 23. In partnership with Google and YouTube, the initiative aimed at training 15,000 individuals from the media and creative sectors.
Launched by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on March 23, the initiative will focus on building capabilities in areas such as animation, visual effects, gaming, comics (AVGC), and media technology.
The programme is targeted at creators, media professionals, students, and developers, enabling them to adapt to rapidly evolving digital tools and workflows. The initiative is being implemented by the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in collaboration with Google and YouTube.
As part of the programme, 15,000 scholarships will be offered to participants to develop advanced AI skills. IICT will oversee the nationwide rollout, including programme design, outreach, and execution. According to the institute, it has worked closely with industry partners to develop a curriculum that incorporates advanced AI technologies, creative workflows, and platform-level best practices.
The programme will be conducted in two phases through 2026.
The first phase, scheduled from March 23 to June 30, 2026, will focus on building foundational AI learning at scale through Google Career Certificates and Google Cloud’s generative AI learning pathways. Participants will undertake courses such as AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, Introduction to Generative AI, and the Generative AI Leader Path.
According to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting , completion of this phase will be mandatory to move on to the next stage.
The second phase, from July to December 2026, will involve hands-on, project-based specialisation tailored for the creative industry. This stage will include modules on storytelling, YouTube best practices, and advanced training using AI tools such as Gemini, Veo, and Vertex AI.
“The initiative will support creators, media professionals, students and developers in building future-ready skills and contribute to India’s emergence as a global hub for digital content and innovation,” the ministry said.
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The AI skilling initiative is part of a broader effort by the government to boost the ‘Orange Economy’ by strengthening public broadcasting and building an AI-skilled workforce in the media and entertainment sector.
In addition to the AI Skilling Initiative, Vaishnaw also launched two other major initiatives:
1) MyWAVES, a citizen creator platform on WAVES OTT.
2) .Rollout of Advanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and in-built satellite tuners in television sets for enhancing access to DD Free Dish services.
Launched by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on March 23, the initiative will focus on building capabilities in areas such as animation, visual effects, gaming, comics (AVGC), and media technology.
The programme is targeted at creators, media professionals, students, and developers, enabling them to adapt to rapidly evolving digital tools and workflows. The initiative is being implemented by the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in collaboration with Google and YouTube.
As part of the programme, 15,000 scholarships will be offered to participants to develop advanced AI skills. IICT will oversee the nationwide rollout, including programme design, outreach, and execution. According to the institute, it has worked closely with industry partners to develop a curriculum that incorporates advanced AI technologies, creative workflows, and platform-level best practices.
The programme will be conducted in two phases through 2026.
The first phase, scheduled from March 23 to June 30, 2026, will focus on building foundational AI learning at scale through Google Career Certificates and Google Cloud’s generative AI learning pathways. Participants will undertake courses such as AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, Introduction to Generative AI, and the Generative AI Leader Path.
According to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting , completion of this phase will be mandatory to move on to the next stage.
The second phase, from July to December 2026, will involve hands-on, project-based specialisation tailored for the creative industry. This stage will include modules on storytelling, YouTube best practices, and advanced training using AI tools such as Gemini, Veo, and Vertex AI.
“The initiative will support creators, media professionals, students and developers in building future-ready skills and contribute to India’s emergence as a global hub for digital content and innovation,” the ministry said.
ALSO READ | Anthropic's new Claude update lets AI click, type and navigate apps on your macOS: How it works
The AI skilling initiative is part of a broader effort by the government to boost the ‘Orange Economy’ by strengthening public broadcasting and building an AI-skilled workforce in the media and entertainment sector.
In addition to the AI Skilling Initiative, Vaishnaw also launched two other major initiatives:
1) MyWAVES, a citizen creator platform on WAVES OTT.
2) .Rollout of Advanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and in-built satellite tuners in television sets for enhancing access to DD Free Dish services.
