On Wednesday, Microsoft revealed its collaborations with government and key industry players in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This announcement came from CEO Satya Nadella during the second day of the company’s AI Tour in New Delhi. The previous day, Nadella had disclosed plans for a $3 billion (approximately Rs. 25,753 crores) investment aimed at bolstering AI infrastructure in India. Microsoft also indicated a notable surge in AI usage within the country, surpassing global averages between 2023 and 2024.
Strategic AI Partnerships in India
In a detailed newsroom post, Microsoft outlined several new partnerships established with various stakeholders. The company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian government along with collaborations involving companies such as RailTel, Apollo Hospitals, Bajaj Finserv, Mahindra Group, and upGrad, focusing specifically on advancements in cloud technology and AI.
According to a study conducted by IDC and commissioned by Microsoft, AI usage in India has reportedly increased from 63 percent in 2023 to 72 percent in 2024. The findings suggest a significant portion of organizations are capitalizing on AI, with 79 percent utilizing it for productivity enhancements and 66 percent focusing on functional applications.
With this promising landscape in mind, Microsoft formally announced a strategic partnership with India AI, a division of Digital India Corporation, aimed at advancing AI and emerging technologies within the nation. The collaboration seeks to equip 500,000 individuals, including students, educators, developers, government officials, and women entrepreneurs, with AI-focused skills by the year 2026.
The partnership will also see the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence named ‘AI Catalysts,’ designed to foster rural innovation in AI. This initiative aims to support 100,000 AI developers and innovators through hackathons, community-building efforts, and the creation of an AI-oriented marketplace. Additionally, AI Productivity Labs will be set up in 20 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) across 10 states, aimed at providing foundational AI courses to 20,000 educators.
In addition to its collaboration with India AI, Microsoft formed partnerships with RailTel, targeting advancements in digital, cloud, and AI technologies in the public sector and railway systems. Furthermore, a cooperation with Apollo Hospitals will involve co-developing AI solutions and facilitating digital transformation and research in areas such as disease progression and genomics. Partnerships with the Mahindra Group will focus on leveraging AI to innovate in automotive, agricultural, and financial services sectors through a range of new AI products.
