UiPath To equip 500k Indians with AI and automation skills by 2027

Enterprise automation software company UiPath announced on Thursday its plans to equip 5,00,000 Indians with artificial intelligence (AI) and automation skills by 2027. This initiative aims to bridge the skill gap in emerging technologies, as per the government's objectives. UiPath is expanding its partnership with 'FutureSkills Prime', a MeitY-Nasscom initiative, and intends to introduce two new learning plans for business analysts and test automation professionals.

Arun Balasubramanian, VP and Managing Director India and South Asia at UiPath, said, "The advent of AI and automation opens India's economy and population to vast new opportunities, and this must be supported with a dedicated commitment to elevating the skills and expertise available in the market."

UiPath plans to launch 50 automation skills labs across various colleges in India, providing students with more opportunities to enhance their automation skills and expertise. These dedicated facilities, operational by the second half of this year, will focus on skills development, innovation, and research.

As part of this initiative, UiPath will collaborate with academic institutions to enhance their curriculum and help students engage with the broader industry and community for job opportunities.

UiPath also plans to offer 100 scholarships annually for the next three years to economically-disadvantaged individuals pursuing certifications. This initiative will be funded by UiPath partners and customers, aiming to ensure equal access for all individuals to contribute to and benefit from India's digital economy.

Kirti Seth, CEO of SSC Nasscom, commented, "Automation fueled by AI is transforming businesses, and to leverage the growing opportunities, Sector Skills Council Nasscom is adapting education to meet industry demands with a focus on practical career development."

The demand for individuals with expertise in AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) has experienced a significant increase, particularly within the past year. A survey conducted by IT services firm ServiceNow reveals that India must enhance the skills of 1.62 crore workers in AI and automation in order to address the country's skill deficit. Additionally, India requires 4.7 million new jobs solely in the technology sector, as it aims to upskill the existing IT workforce of 4.6 million professionals by 2027.

The fact that AI and automation have the potential to contribute up to $500 billion to India's GDP by 2025 underscores the necessity for a substantial transformation of the workforce.