India Accelerates AI Skilling and Digital Content Push to Strengthen Ecosystem

India is stepping up efforts to strengthen its digital economy with a fresh set of initiatives focused on artificial intelligence (AI), content creation, and improved access to broadcasting services, according to a report by the Digital Watch Observatory.

At the core of this push is a plan to build an AI-ready workforce while expanding the country’s digital ecosystem across media and technology sectors.

A key highlight is a national AI skilling programme aimed at training around 15,000 creators and media professionals. This initiative is being rolled out in collaboration with Google and YouTube, and will cover areas such as generative AI, prompt engineering, and advanced digital tools to prepare participants for emerging industry demands.

To further boost content creation, the government has introduced **MyWAVES**, a platform integrated within the WAVES OTT ecosystem. It enables users to create, upload, and share content across multiple formats and languages, encouraging broader participation and supporting India’s growing creator economy.

In parallel, access to broadcasting services is being made simpler and more affordable. New television technologies with built-in satellite tuners and advanced programme guides will eliminate the need for separate set-top boxes—an upgrade expected to significantly improve accessibility, particularly in remote and underserved regions.

The report also points to strong growth potential in India’s digital infrastructure. The country’s data centre capacity is projected to reach around 4 gigawatts (GW) by FY2030, attracting investments of nearly ?1.5 lakh crore. However, current capacity remains relatively low at 1.2 megawatts per million internet users—well below the global average of 5 megawatts.

While enterprise IT and cloud storage are currently driving demand, AI-powered workloads are expected to fuel the next wave of expansion over the coming five to seven years.

Another encouraging trend highlighted in the report is workforce readiness, particularly among women. Nearly 95 percent of women surveyed expressed willingness to transition into AI-focused roles, provided they receive adequate organisational support—signalling a significant opportunity for inclusive growth in the sector.

With inputs from IANS