UP government will launch an AI upskilling initiative to future-proof workforce across six key departments.
NEW DELHI: To position Uttar Pradesh as a leading state in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), the Yogi Adityanath-led government is preparing to launch an extensive AI upskilling initiative aimed at equipping the workforce for the future. As one of the Chief Minister’s flagship programmes, this initiative will involve the coordinated efforts of six key departments to build domain-specific AI capacities throughout the state. Conceptualised by the Department of IT and Electronics, the initiative will be implemented through the Departments of Education, Health, Agriculture, Rural Development, Revenue, and Secretariat Administration. Each of these departments will conduct customised training programmes tailored to their respective fields, integrating AI knowledge into public administration, service mechanisms, and everyday operational functions. This wide-ranging approach is projected to not only cultivate a vast base of trained AI professionals but also establish a cohesive framework for skill development across various sectors. A central component of this initiative is the establishment of committees at both the state and district levels to oversee the timely execution and monitoring of the project at every stage. The process of forming these committees is currently in progress. These bodies will be responsible for tracking and evaluating the monthly progress of AI-related training initiatives across Uttar Pradesh. Departments and districts will be ranked based on their performance, fostering transparency and enforcing accountability in the implementation process. According to the strategic plan formulated by the Department of IT and Electronics, six government departments will actively participate in the rollout of the AI training initiative. The Education Department will offer AI-based training modules across schools, colleges, and universities, enabling faculty members, administrative staff, and students to become proficient in AI technologies. In a similar fashion, the Health Department will focus on training doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and other healthcare professionals to effectively utilise AI tools and systems in healthcare practices. The Agriculture Department’s training programmes will target departmental personnel, NGOs, progressive farmers, and women working in agro-focused and rural MSME ventures, equipping them with AI-based agricultural technologies and methodologies. The Rural Development Department will organise training for its own personnel, as well as for rural women and NGO workers. The Revenue and Secretariat Administration Departments will primarily focus on training their internal workforce. As outlined by the Department of IT and Electronics, the goal is to provide AI training to 1.5 lakh (150,000) individuals each month across different sectors. Within a span of four to six months, approximately 1.5 lakh individuals across the state will have received AI upskilling. To ensure streamlined implementation and effective monitoring, the Centre for e-Governance (CeG), functioning under the Department of IT and Electronics, will serve as the nodal coordinating body. It will liaise with all involved departments and present consolidated monthly progress reports at both state and district levels. At the state level, a steering committee will be established under the leadership of the Chief Secretary. At the district level, implementation will be supervised by a committee chaired by the District Magistrate and the Chief Development Officer. These organisational structures are intended to ensure comprehensive execution, maintain accountability, and facilitate the ranking of departments and districts based on performance outcomes.