MSDE Partners with Meta to Launch AI Assistant and Establish Centres of Excellence for Skill Development

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has announced a strategic partnership with Meta to enhance the Skill India Mission through two groundbreaking initiatives: the development of an AI Assistant and the establishment of five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR).

AI Assistant for Skill India Mission

Under this partnership, MSDE and Meta aim to create an innovative AI-powered chatbot, leveraging Meta’s open-source Llama model. This chatbot will be integrated into the Skill India Digital (SID) Portal, designed to enrich the learning experience for users. The initiative seeks to provide learners with 24/7 support for quick access to course information, interactive Q&A sessions regarding course content, and summaries of lectures and related videos for revision.

Jayant Chaudhary, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, emphasized the importance of integrating advanced technologies into the Skill India ecosystem. He stated, “By integrating technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and mixed reality, we are democratizing access to cutting-edge technologies, enabling personalized learning pathways for the youth of the country. Our partnership with Meta today is a significant step towards achieving this goal.”

Establishment of Centres of Excellence

In addition to the AI Assistant, the partnership will also see the establishment of five Centres of Excellence at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in key cities: Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Jodhpur, Chennai, and Kanpur. These centres will provide learners and instructors with the latest VR technology, facilitating skill enhancement in a safe, immersive, and engaging environment.

The CoEs will offer realistic simulations that improve engagement and increase accessibility to skill development training. The initiative is expected to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in today’s competitive landscape, providing them with tools for effective learning.

Commitment to Education and Technology

Shivnath Thukral, Vice President and Head of Public Policy at Meta India, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating that the partnership reflects a commitment to bridging the gap between technology and education. He remarked, “Through the integration of advanced technologies like Open-Source Llama, we aim to empower not just students, but also educators and entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital-first world.”

The AI assistant project will be developed by Sarvam AI, which will oversee the chatbot’s deployment over a six-month pilot period. The chatbot will support multiple languages, including English, Hindi, and Hinglish, and will be accessible through WhatsApp, making it user-friendly for a diverse audience.

Skillveri will act as the technical partner for establishing the CoEs, providing innovative VR and MR resources, curriculum, and trained professionals to ensure that learners and instructors have access to the latest technologies.

Conclusion

This partnership between MSDE and Meta represents a significant leap forward in leveraging technology to enhance skill development in India. With a focus on AI, VR, and MR, these initiatives aim to empower the youth and create a more skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of the future.

Sources By Agencies

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