NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India is gearing up to make a bold global statement in artificial intelligence education. Within the next six months, the country plans to become home to the world’s largest network of school students who are not just learning about AI but actively using it in real life.
Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State for the Education Department, shared this vision during the BharatSkillNxt 2025 event held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the Skill India Mission.
Speaking at the event, Chaudhary said India is preparing its youth to lead in artificial intelligence. “In the next six months, India’s school-going population could make a powerful global statement—that we are home to the world’s largest network of young learners who are not just being introduced to AI, but actively using and applying it,” he said.
The minister emphasized that this mission is not just about access to technology. It’s about real application, skill development, and preparing a future-ready generation. India wants to lead—not just participate—in the global AI movement.
Chaudhary described the decade-long journey of the Skill India Mission as transformative. He said it proved that skill development is not a fallback option, but a strong foundation for national growth. “Whether it’s veterans retraining, rural women discovering entrepreneurship, or young students embracing AI, every story reaffirms that India’s future lies in recognizing talent, restoring dignity to work, and creating opportunity through skill,” he said.
A key part of this vision is the SOAR initiative. This government program integrates artificial intelligence learning at the school level. It reflects India’s broader goal to embrace and lead in advanced technologies.
Chaudhary said that programs like SOAR show India’s serious commitment to AI education. “As we move towards Visit Bharat 2047, it is clear that India will not become a developed nation by chance—but by design. And at the heart of that design is our people—skilled, confident, and future-ready,” he said.
While India focuses on building future leaders in AI, global tech companies continue to battle for top talent. Varun Mohan, former CEO of AI startup Windsurf, recently left to join Google. He took with him a small team of researchers and engineers. The departure caused emotional reactions among Windsurf staff, with some reportedly in tears.
In a similar moment, Alexandr Wang, CEO of Scale AI, announced his resignation last month. He was seen tearing up during the announcement. Industry leaders like OpenAI’s Sam Altman have also lost top employees to companies like Meta. Meanwhile, tech investor Daniel Gross received a job offer from Meta in May.
Chaudhary’s announcement comes at a time when global competition for AI talent is heating up. While major companies compete to hire the best engineers, India is building a new generation of AI-ready students from the ground up.
This bottom-up approach could give India a unique edge in the AI race. By investing in school-level education, the government hopes to create a talent pipeline that is both deep and wide. This aligns with India’s long-term vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
With initiatives like SOAR and the continued push from the Skill India Mission, India is setting the stage for a digital revolution. By empowering its young learners, the country is not only preparing them for future jobs but also aiming to take a leadership role in global technology.
As Jayant Chaudhary said, the next six months could mark a major milestone. If successful, India will stand as a global example of how early investment in AI education can transform a nation’s future.
