India Launches National Initiative to Upskill Creative Professionals in AI

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) have launched a national initiative aimed at upskilling creative professionals through AI. The programme, which offers 15,000 scholarships, is designed to empower emerging talents in the fields of media , entertainment, animation, gaming, and digital storytelling with the cutting-edge skills required to excel in today’s tech-driven creative industries. Developed in partnership with tech giants Google and YouTube , the AI skilling initiative will equip participants with both foundational AI knowledge and specialized, industry-relevant expertise, enabling them to navigate the evolving landscape of content creation and production. Enrolment for the programme is now open, inviting candidates to enhance their careers with this exclusive opportunity. This phase is dedicated to building core AI literacy, providing 15,000 scholarships for Google Career Certificates and Google Cloud’s Gen AI learning paths. The foundational stage covers essential concepts of generative AI, responsible AI practices, and prompting techniques, offering approximately 33 hours of online training. Participants will gain critical knowledge and problem-solving skills, equipping them to apply AI principles in real-world creative contexts. Google’s training modules, developed by experts, democratize access to AI concepts and allow learners to connect with top employers. The second phase focuses on the practical application of AI in creative fields. After completing the foundational training, participants will advance to a hybrid model that incorporates project-based learning in storytelling, creative production, and the use of advanced AI tools. Co-developed by IICT and YouTube, this stage provides hands-on exposure to platform-specific tools and best practices that enhance content reach and engagement. Participants will gain valuable insights through modules such as Google Developers Codelabs, solidifying their skills in AI-based content creation. The “AI Skills House” platform will further support participants by offering structured learning tracks in generative AI applications, workflow automation, and decision-making tools. This platform aims to make AI learning more accessible and provides a space where participants can develop their skills at their own pace, applying them to creative workflows. By focusing on both technical proficiency and creative application, the initiative seeks to foster a highly skilled talent pool capable of shaping India’s growing media and digital sectors. Aligned with the Government of India’s vision to strengthen the creative economy, this initiative is a significant step towards integrating AI into mainstream content creation and production practices. The programme is designed to cater specifically to high-potential individuals in the creative sector, making it a highly selective and impactful skilling pathway. Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, emphasized that this programme addresses a clear national requirement by preparing creative professionals for the real-world application of AI in content creation, production, and distribution. "We are not just providing technical knowledge; we are empowering the next generation of creative leaders to drive innovation and transform the media and entertainment industry with AI," he said. IICT, in partnership with Google and YouTube, is leading the nationwide rollout of the programme, handling curriculum development, candidate outreach, and execution. By combining AI tools with creative workflows and platform-level best practices, the programme ensures that participants are well-prepared with production-ready, industry-relevant skills. This unique collaboration reflects the government’s commitment to harnessing emerging technologies to unlock the potential of India’s creative sector, while simultaneously fostering a new wave of AI-driven talent that will shape the future of media, entertainment, and beyond. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, alongside IICT, Google, and YouTube, invites all interested candidates from the media and entertainment sectors to enrol in this transformative programme. With the chance to gain skills that will elevate their careers in the creative economy, participants are encouraged to seize this opportunity to become part of India’s AI-powered creative future.