TN Inks Pacts With Tech Firms in Chennai to Train Thousands in AI

Tamil Nadu has stepped up its initiative to emerge as a global hub for artificial intelligence by signing a series of partnerships with multinational technology companies and CSR organisations in Chennai on Thursday.

The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged through the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Academy in the presence of Minister for AI, Information Technology and Digital Services R. Kumar. The initiative aims to build an industry-ready talent pool across the State by strengthening industry-academia collaboration and expanding AI education.

Under the agreements, several global technology firms will conduct large-scale training programmes. Salesforce will train 20,000 students through its Journey to Salesforce programme, while MongoDB's Learnathon and Skillathon initiatives are set to reach 1.4 lakh students. Additionally, Celonis will provide specialised training to 25,000 students in process mining and process intelligence.

The partnerships are designed to benefit thousands of students, teachers, and young people by offering specialised training, certifications, and exposure to emerging technologies. Officials noted that these industry-linked programmes will help bridge the gap between academic curricula and evolving workplace requirements across sectors such as manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and services.

The State government's broader AI roadmap includes the establishment of a proposed AI Centre of Excellence, an AI University, and an AI City. These institutional projects are intended to create an integrated ecosystem covering skills, innovation, industrial applications, and research.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Kumar highlighted the transformative impact of the technology, noting that artificial intelligence is bringing about a fundamental change in how people learn, work, and innovate. He added that the new and renewed agreements with global technology companies and CSR organisations would directly benefit thousands of students and teachers across Tamil Nadu in the coming year.

The ICT Academy operates as a joint initiative of the Union Government, the Tamil Nadu Government, and industry stakeholders. Its operations span seven key areas, including faculty development, student and youth skill development, entrepreneurship, industry-academia interaction, digital advancement, research, and publications.