The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has collaborated with Meta for launch of two key initiatives: an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant for Skill India Mission and establishing five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) located at Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Jodhpur, Chennai, and Kanpur.
Under this partnership, an innovative AI-chatbot powered by Meta’s open-source Llama model will be developed, which will enhance the learner experience on Skill India Digital (SID) portal. The chatbot, which will be integrated into SID portal, offers 24/7 assistance to users, enabling quick discovery of course information, interactive question and answer for course content, and access to lecture summaries and relevant videos for revision. Available over WhatsApp, the chatbot will support English, Hindi, and Hinglish, along with voice capabilities, making it more accessible to a diverse range of users across India. In addition, users can search for specific course topics, find skilling centres, explore job listings based on location and interest, and receive tailored feedback for continuous improvement. The chatbot will also provide valuable analytics to MSDE to further optimise the platform. Sarvam AI, the technical partner for AI assistant project, will be responsible for development and deployment of the chatbot, which will be piloted over a six-month period.
By making Meta’s open-source AI models accessible to India’s AI ecosystem, it envisages a collaborative e-governance framework for adoption of impactful AI solutions with potential for catalysing large scale socio-economic transformation in line with India’s AI Mission. Further, these five CoEs at NSTIs will equip learners and instructors with latest VR technology to learn and enhance existing skills in a safe, immersive and engaging environment. The partnership on AI assistant aims to streamline information access, improve learning outcomes and provide students with seamless support through an intuitive digital interface. The five CoEs will also provide realistic simulations, improve engagement and increase accessibility to skill development training.
The SID portal has become a cornerstone of nation’s skilling ecosystem, with millions of students accessing courses aimed at improving their employability. With the launch of AI chatbot, MSDE and Meta are taking a significant step forward in revolutionising how students interact with course content and prepare for future. Further, Skillveri, the technical partner for establishing CoEs, will provide cutting-edge VR and MR resources, curriculum, and trained professionals to equip learners and instructors with latest technology, enabling immersive and interactive learning experiences.
Commenting on the collaboration, Jayant Chaudhary, minister of state (independent charge) for SDE, said, “Our mission at the ministry is to empower India’s youth with skills they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. By integrating technologies like AI, VR and into Skill India ecosystem, we are democratising access to cutting-edge technologies enabling personalised learning pathways for youth of the country. Our partnership with Meta today is a significant step towards achieving this goal.”
Meanwhile, Shivnath Thukral, vice president and head of public policy, Meta India, said, “At Meta, we are committed to leveraging frontier technologies like AI, VR and MR to create meaningful impact for economic development of India. These partnerships with MDSE are a testament to our commitment to bridging the gap between technology and education. Through the integration of advanced technologies like open-source Llama, we aim to empower not just students, but also educators and entrepreneurs, equipping them with tools they need to thrive in today’s digital-first world.”
