IBM outlines plan to skill 5 million learners in India in AI, cybersecurity and quantum technologies
IBM has announced a commitment to train up to five million learners across India in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and quantum computing by 2030. According to the company, the initiative will be delivered through its IBM SkillsBuild programme and is aimed at expanding access to advanced digital skills and improving employability for students and adult learners.
IBM said the effort aligns with its broader goal of building a future-ready workforce by working across schools, higher education institutions and vocational skilling ecosystems. As part of the initiative, the company plans to expand education in AI and other emerging technologies through collaborations with academic and regulatory bodies.
According to IBM, the programme will involve partnerships with institutions such as the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to support hands-on learning pathways in AI. These efforts are expected to include faculty enablement programmes, curriculum integration, hackathons and internship opportunities designed to strengthen practical exposure to emerging technologies.
“India has the talent and ambition to play a leading role in AI and quantum technologies,” said Arvind Krishna, Chairman, President and CEO of IBM. He added that the company views technology fluency as a key factor in economic competitiveness and innovation, and described the commitment to skill five million learners as an investment in broadening access to advanced digital capabilities.
IBM also said it is continuing to focus on early-stage education by working on AI curricula for senior secondary students. According to the company, this includes the co-development of teaching resources such as project-based learning materials, teacher handbooks and explainer modules. IBM stated that these initiatives are intended to introduce computational thinking and responsible AI principles at an early stage, while supporting teachers in delivering AI education at scale.
At the centre of the initiative is IBM SkillsBuild, which the company describes as a global technology learning platform. IBM said SkillsBuild currently offers more than 1,000 courses covering areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, cloud, data, sustainability and workplace readiness. The platform has reached over 16 million learners globally, according to IBM.
IBM added that the India-focused skilling commitment contributes to its wider global objective of training 30 million people worldwide by 2030. The company identified India as a key market in accelerating progress towards that target, given the scale of the country’s education and skilling ecosystem.