Lok Sabha Question No. 2748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: New AI and Digital Learning Institutes
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri E T Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2748

ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## NEW AI AND DIGITAL LEARNING INSTITUTES

2748. SHRI E T MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  roadmap  for  setting  up  of  new  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  and  digital learning institutes; and
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  made  any  study  on  the  ethical  values  and  artificial intelligence, if so, the finding of the same, if not whether the Government will take steps in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

- (a):  Recognising  the  importance  of  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  and  digital  learning,  the Government of India has taken initiatives for setting up of AI Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities.  The Budget 2025-26 further announced a new  CoE  for  AI  in  education.  Also,  National  Programme  on  Artificial  Intelligence  (NPAI) Skilling Framework was prepared by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in September 2023. The framework outlines a comprehensive roadmap aimed at enhancing AI skilling across India.

Under the Government of India's Skill India Mission (SIM), the Ministry of Skill Development and  Entrepreneurship  (MSDE)  delivers  skill,  re-skill  and  up-skill  training  through  an extensive network of skill development centres under various schemes, viz. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY),  Jan  Sikhshan  Sansthan  (JSS),  National  Apprenticeship Promotion  Scheme  (NAPS)  and  Craftsman  Training  Scheme  (CTS)  through  Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), to all the sections of the society across the country. The SIM aims at enabling youth of India to get future ready, equipped with industry relevant skills including digital technology and artificial intelligence.

To facilitate the integrated use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital learning programs in SIM, MSDE has taken the following steps:

- (i) New training programs have been introduced under PMKVY 4.0 to enhance digital and technical skills among youth. PMKVY 4.0 has focus on new age skills like AI/ML, Web 3.0, etc.
- (ii)  Under  NAPS,  there  are  approx.  60  private  establishments  which  are  currently providing apprenticeship in AI-related courses.

(iii)  Directorate  General  of  Training  (DGT)  under  MSDE  has  introduced  one  course 'Artificial  Intelligence  Programming  Assistant  (AIPA)'  to  impart  AI-based  skill  training through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).

(iv)  A  micro-credential course 'Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)' of 7.5-hour has been developed for all CTS trainees in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), in collaboration with industry and academic experts.

- (v)  MSDE  has  launched  Skill  India  Digital  Hub  (SIDH)  platform,  a  comprehensive  and accessible  platform  for  skill  enhancement,  offering  industry-relevant  skill  courses,  job opportunities,  and  entrepreneurship  support  to  youth  of  the  country.  SIDH  offers  an extensive array of AI/ML and Digital Tech courses to cater to varying levels of expertise and application, enabling participants to stay at the forefront of AI/ ML technology.

(vi)  DGT  has  collaborated  with  Microsoft  India  to  implement  capacity-building  training programs  for the students of NSTIs  &  ITIs in the future skills ensuring better preparedness for upcoming jobs.

(b): Government has conducted  a  study  on  need  of  ethical  AI  practices  based  on  global research & best practices. As 'Trust' and 'Algorithm soundness' are going to be two major factors in increased usage of AI, the skilling framework created for National Policy of AI by MSDE  ensures  that  'Ethical  AI'  is  part  of  every  AI  course. The  AI  skilling  framework highlights  the  critical  importance  of  creating  a  model  of  Responsible  &  Ethical  AI,  which includes transparency, fairness, and  privacy. It also  puts  emphasis  on  responsible innovation, human  oversight and mitigating biases in AI systems. Additionally, the framework  suggests  development  of  governance  mechanisms  and  legal  frameworks  to ensure responsible and explainable AI innovation for future.

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