New Delhi. President Draupadi Murmu said on Thursday that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is giving a new direction to the economy and society all over the world today. It is rapidly changing the way we learn, work, access modern services and tackle humanity’s greatest challenges. For a young country like India, AI is not just a technology but a big opportunity for positive change.
The President was addressing a special program organized at the Cultural Center of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday. On this occasion, he launched ‘Skill the Nation Challenge’, a national awareness campaign aimed at connecting youth with future AI proficiency. Along with this, he also inaugurated the Regional Center and Skill Center of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in Rairangpur, Odisha through virtual medium. On this occasion, many dignitaries including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary were present.
The President said that India’s vision has always been that technology should empower people, be inclusive and create opportunities for all. AI should be used to bridge social, economic and technological gaps. It is important to ensure that its benefits reach every section, every age group and especially the marginalized communities.
He expressed happiness to see that students are preparing themselves for a future full of possibilities and opportunities. The President urged the students to remember that technology, knowledge and skills should be used to serve society, solve problems and empower others. He also praised the Members of Parliament who have completed the AI learning modules, saying they have set an inspiring example of leadership by learning emerging technologies themselves.
President Murmu said that Artificial Intelligence is emerging as an important growth driver for the Indian economy. India is fast moving towards becoming the third largest economy in the world and AI will play an important role in the country’s GDP, employment generation and overall productivity in the coming decade. He said skills like data science, AI engineering and data analytics would prove effective in strengthening India’s AI talent pool.
He said that the government is working with various institutions, industry and academia to ensure that India not only embraces technology but also creates a responsible and inclusive future through it. The President called for making India a knowledge superpower in line with the National Education Policy and working together to build a technology-based, prosperous and inclusive nation.
The President said that the India AI Mission is being run to strengthen the digital public infrastructure as well as to make India a global leader in the field of AI. He praised the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and said that this will increase awareness about AI and strengthen economic self-reliance.
Expressing happiness over the launch of Skill the Nation Challenge, the President said that this initiative will encourage participation in AI learning and innovation on a large scale and make millions of learners future ready. He also congratulated the MPs and children who received AI certificates. On this occasion, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in his address said that the establishment of this new center of IGNOU in Rairangpur will promote employment and entrepreneurship. He said that for the first time, skill education will be provided along with formal education through IGNOU, which will prove to be a big change.
Dharmendra Pradhan praised President Draupadi Murmu and said that as a teacher, she has shown values and dignity in her life. These centers established under his guidance will especially benefit the people standing at the last rung of the society.
He said that for proper utilization of natural resources, forest wealth and labor force of Mayurbhanj, local tribal and rural communities will be connected with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern technologies, which will enhance their capabilities. Emphasizing on increasing the economic productivity of citizens to realize the Prime Minister’s resolve of ‘self-reliant India’, Dharmendra Pradhan said that to build a developed India, the country’s workforce participation will have to be increased from 50 percent to 75 percent, in which skill development will play an important role. On this occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated the citizens of entire Odisha including Mayurbhanj and expressed his gratitude to IGNOU for participating in this initiative.
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