India and Meta Partner to Revolutionize Skill Development with AI

Davos, Switzerland: In a significant step towards leveraging technology for skill development, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Meta have strengthened their partnership. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, met with Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss leveraging frontier technologies to position India as a global leader in skill development and digital transformation.

A key focus of the meeting was the development of the Skill India Assistant (SIA), an advanced AI solution powered by Meta’s open-source large language model, Llama. SIA, to be integrated with the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), will provide personalized learning experiences to millions of Indian youth. This AI-powered assistant will offer customized guidance on skilling courses, training resources, and career development opportunities through interactive and engaging methods.

The meeting also emphasized India’s ambition to become the “Skill Capital of the World” and explored the transformative potential of open-source AI solutions like Llama to drive innovation, inclusivity, and scalability in skill-building initiatives. The beta version of SIA is currently undergoing rigorous testing and feedback collection, with a public launch expected in February 2025.

Minister Chaudhary expressed his vision for a transformative future, stating, “India stands at the forefront of a global skilling revolution, ready to embrace innovation and redefine the way skills are nurtured and deployed. With Meta’s technologies, like the Llama powered Artificial Intelligence solution, Skill India Assistant (SIA), we are unlocking unprecedented opportunities for our youth to excel in the digital age.”

Shivnath Thukral, Vice President, India, Meta, added, “Meta is honored to partner with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in shaping a future where technology and human potential converge. With initiatives like the AI-powered Skill India Assistant (SIA), we aim to empower India’s youth and entrepreneurs to lead in the global digital economy.”

Beyond SIA, MSDE is collaborating with Meta to support entrepreneurs across the country through upskilling programs implemented by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD). These programs focus on training individuals to leverage platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Reels to build and grow their businesses, establish digital brands, and access new markets. This initiative empowers aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to unlock new opportunities and enhance their digital capabilities.