With an aim to democratize access to artificial intelligence, NITI Aayog and Microsoft India has announced an agreement that will leverage the benefits of AI for the growth of the nation.
As part of the agreement, Microsoft India will support NITI Aayog by combining the cloud, AI, research and its vertical expertise for new initiatives and solutions across several core areas including agriculture and healthcare and the environment.
Microsoft will also accelerate the use of AI for the development and adoption of local language computing, in addition to building capacity for AI among the workforce through education.
Announcing the agreement, Amitabh Kant, CEO – NITI Aayog said,
For our country, the power of Artificial Intelligence needs to be brought to bear in sectors like healthcare, education, environment and agriculture, which are important for the inclusive development of India. This partnership will help us move beyond pilots and understand how to scale AI implementation in sectors characterized by a preponderance of public goods.
Commenting on the association, Anant Maheshwari, President – Microsoft India said,
We are very proud to support NITI Aayog in driving the next leg of India’s transformational journey. AI holds the power to reinvent how we solve societal challenges for socio-economic advancement and support the country’s growth.
Under the agreement, Microsoft will provide Niti Aayog with advanced AI-based solutions to address challenges in agriculture and healthcare, including farm advisory services, healthcare screening models at primary health centers. The collaboration will also cover areas like building capacity for AI through education.
Additionally, Microsoft will promote STEM education in the areas of AI studies and Data sciences for young women in institutes identified by NITI Aayog. This will include a fellowship for select women candidates pursuing post-graduate courses in data sciences and AI, as well as a foundation level AI and data sciences course for young women graduates.
