AI not just technology, but opportunity for positive change: President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday launched the #SkillTheNation AI Challenge and virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur in Odisha.
New Delhi, January 1: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday launched the #SkillTheNation AI Challenge and virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur in Odisha, stressing that artificial intelligence offers India a major opportunity to drive inclusive growth and social transformation.
Speaking at an event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, Murmu said artificial intelligence is reshaping economies and societies across the world by transforming learning, work and access to modern services. For a young country like India, she said, AI should be seen as a powerful enabler of positive change rather than merely a new technology.
The President said India’s approach to technology has consistently focused on empowering people, promoting inclusion and expanding opportunities. She underlined the need to use AI to bridge social, economic and technological divides, and to ensure its benefits reach people across regions, age groups and communities, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds.
Murmu noted that students are preparing themselves for a future filled with new possibilities and urged them to use technology and skills to serve society, solve real-world problems and empower others. She also appreciated Members of Parliament who have completed AI learning modules, saying their efforts reflect leadership through continuous learning.
Highlighting the economic impact of emerging technologies, the President said AI is set to become a key growth driver for India in the coming decade, contributing significantly to GDP, employment and productivity. She said skills such as data science, AI engineering and data analytics will be critical in building a strong national talent pool.
Murmu said the government, working with educational institutions, industry and academia, is focused not only on adopting new technologies but also on shaping a responsible and inclusive digital future. She called for collective efforts to build a developed India, aligned with the National Education Policy, and to position the country as a global knowledge and technology leader.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to prepare India’s workforce for an AI-driven future.
