Global innovation hub to AI skill training for 1 Cr youth: PM Modi outlines nation’s tech ambitions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday put technology and innovation at the heart of India's growth ambitions, calling for leadership in emerging technologies and announcing AI skilling for one crore youth over the next one year.

Addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day, PM Modi said new frontiers in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space, robotics and data centres are opening up rapidly, and stressed the need for the country to take the lead in technology and innovation.

Outlining a seven-point framework for 'Viksit Bharat', the PM identified technology and innovation as the third 'shakti' of the "Sapta Dhara" vision, saying rapid advances in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, space, robotics and data centres were opening up new opportunities.

"Today, the world is one of AI, quantum, space, robotics and data centres. New areas have opened up," the prime minister said, noting that emerging technologies were also presenting fresh challenges.

India must become a hub for innovation, he emphasised.

Modi said India had already demonstrated, to the world, its capabilities in UPI and digital public infrastructure, and now needs to emerge as a force in 'digital public technologies'.

"India must lead in next-generation communications technology. Made-in-India 6G should reach every corner, and that should be our goal," he said.

Placing a strong emphasis on preparing India's youth for the artificial intelligence-driven economy, Modi announced a large-scale skilling push.

"In the coming one year, we will work to provide AI skill training to one crore youth, so that India's youth can lead in the AI era," Modi said.