IBM to train 5 million Indian youth in AI, quantum by 2030, announced in Delhi
IBM has pledged to reach five million young Indians with training in artificial‑intelligence and quantum computing by the end of the decade. Unveiled at a high‑profile event in Delhi, the plan positions the tech giant alongside the Indian government’s push to close a widening skills gap in fast‑moving fields. By targeting students and recent graduates, IBM hopes to create a pipeline of talent that can feed both domestic startups and multinational R&D centers.
The rollout will lean on existing university networks and newly‑formed partnerships with regulatory bodies, notably the All India Council for Technical Education. While the numbers sound ambitious, the real test will be how the curriculum is woven into classroom instruction and whether faculty receive the resources needed for practical, project‑based learning. The initiative, announced in Delhi, aims to expand access to education in emerging technologies by working with academic institutions and regulators, including the All India Council for Technical Education.
The company also plans to support hands‑on learning through curriculum integration, faculty e
The initiative, announced in Delhi, aims to expand access to education in emerging technologies by working with academic institutions and regulators, including the All India Council for Technical Education. The company also plans to support hands-on learning through curriculum integration, faculty enablement, hackathons, and internship pathways. It will also continue work at the school level by co-developing AI curricula for senior secondary students and providing teaching resources, including project guides and explainer modules.
"India possesses the talent and ambition to lead the world in AI and quantum," said Arvind Krishna, chairman, president and chief executive officer of IBM, in a statement. "Our commitment to skill five million people is an investment in that future," he said, adding that broader access to advanced skills would help students build and innovate. In a previous interaction, L Venkata Subramaniam, who served as the quantum India leader at IBM, told AIM that IBM is co-developing 11 textbooks on quantum computing with IITs, startups, and other partners, with over 100 colleges already signed up.
This is part of a nationwide rollout of an undergraduate minor programme in quantum technologies. At the centre of the effort is IBM SkillsBuild, a digital learning platform that offers more than 1,000 courses across technology and workplace skills. IBM said the platform has reached over 16 million learners globally and supports its broader goal of training 30 million people worldwide by 2030, with India playing a key role.
Will five million Indian learners truly emerge equipped for AI, cybersecurity and quantum by 2030? IBM says its SkillsBuild ecosystem will drive the effort, targeting schools, universities and vocational streams. The pledge aligns with a stated focus on employability, responsible AI education and early computational thinking.
Partnerships with academic bodies and regulators—including the All India Council for Technical Education—are meant to broaden access. Hands‑on learning, curriculum integration and faculty enablement are promised, though details on implementation remain sparse. If the curriculum integration succeeds, students could gain practical exposure; if not, the scale‑up may falter.
The initiative’s ambition is clear, yet metrics for tracking progress are not disclosed. Moreover, the impact on the broader job market is uncertain, as demand for these skills may shift over the decade. IBM’s commitment signals a noteworthy investment in talent development, but whether the target of five million trained individuals will translate into measurable outcomes is still to be determined.
Further Reading
More in Industry Applications
Month‑1 Agent Adds Holistic Observability with Trace IDs and Token Tracking
Why does observability matter when you’re just getting an AI agent off the ground?
Edge AI Boosts Resilience and Privacy, Pressuring Network Security
Edge‑focused artificial intelligence is slipping past traditional perimeter defenses, and the gap...
Startup launches Hyprdrive, self‑driving car software aimed at new category
Why does a startup’s software matter when the market is already crowded with autonomous‑driving...
Reasoning models top all three CFA exam levels despite verbosity bias
Why does a language model’s triumph on the CFA exams matter beyond headline numbers?
Rivian builds AI chips for driving with efficiency/performance, ASIL compliance
Rivian’s decision to design its own AI silicon marks a clear shift from relying on off‑the‑shelf...
Common Questions Answered
What is IBM's target number of Indian youth to train in AI and quantum computing by 2030?
IBM aims to train five million young Indians in artificial‑intelligence and quantum computing by the end of the decade. This ambitious target is part of its SkillsBuild ecosystem and aligns with India's broader skills‑development goals.
Which regulatory body is IBM partnering with to expand AI education in India?
IBM is working with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to broaden access to emerging‑technology training. The partnership involves curriculum integration, faculty enablement, and co‑development of AI courses for senior secondary students.
How does IBM plan to provide hands‑on learning experiences for Indian students?
The initiative includes hackathons, internship pathways, and practical curriculum integration across schools, universities, and vocational streams. IBM will also supply teaching resources and facilitate faculty training to ensure experiential learning.
What broader objectives does IBM's training pledge support beyond technical skills?
Beyond technical competence, IBM emphasizes employability, responsible AI education, and early computational thinking. The program seeks to create a talent pipeline for domestic startups and multinational R&D centers while fostering ethical technology use.