MIB, IICT Partner with Google and YouTube for National AI Skilling Drive

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), has announced a nationwide AI skilling initiative aimed at strengthening India’s creative sector.

The programme, developed in partnership with Google and YouTube, will offer 15,000 scholarships to nurture advanced AI capabilities among emerging creators, storytellers, and digital professionals.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader push to integrate AI into mainstream creative education and position India as a global hub for digital innovation.

Anchored by IICT, the programme is designed as a selective and impact-driven pathway for high-potential talent across fields such as media, entertainment, animation, gaming, and digital storytelling.

IICT will serve as the implementation partner, overseeing the design, outreach, and execution of the programme. Working closely with Google and YouTube, the institute has developed a curriculum that combines AI tools with creative workflows and industry practices. This approach is expected to equip participants with practical, production-ready skills.

The programme builds on the earlier “Create with AI” initiative launched by IICT and YouTube and reflects the government’s continued focus on fostering a skilled workforce in the creative economy.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “India is on a trajectory to become a global powerhouse in the creative and technology sectors. Our partnership with Google and YouTube to launch this national AI skilling program is a critical step in empowering our talented youth. By equipping 15,000 individuals with advanced AI skills, we are not just preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow but also ensuring that India leads the world in the creative industry.”

Gunjan Soni, Managing Director of YouTube India, highlighted, “We believe AI can unlock incredible new opportunities for India’s vibrant creative economy. By working together with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and IICT, we can provide creators and professionals with the skills they need to become fluent in the tools of tomorrow.”

Shekar Khosla, Vice President, Marketing, India at Google, said, “We remain deeply committed to supporting India’s growth as a leading digital economy. This expanded partnership will provide creative professionals with the specialized AI skills needed to succeed.”

Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, emphasized the programme’s practical focus, noting, “This initiative is structured to address a clear national requirement, preparing creative professionals for real-world application of AI across content creation, production, and distribution.”

The programme will be delivered in two phases. The first phase will focus on foundational AI literacy, offering scholarships for Google Career Certificates and generative AI learning paths. In the second phase, selected participants will undergo hands-on, project-based training, including storytelling techniques, advanced AI tools, and YouTube best practices, delivered through a hybrid model across key creative hubs in India.