The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in New Delhi formally launched the AIME Academy (AI Academy for Media and Entertainment) on May 29, marking a significant step in enhancing AI-driven media education within India. Chanchal Kumar, the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, officiated the inauguration during an event attended by Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Vice Chancellor of IIMC, and Dr. Manish Gupta, Senior Director at Google DeepMind India.

Completion of AI Skills Training Programme

The launch coincided with the conclusion of a 10-week hybrid AI Skills Training Programme that successfully provided training to over 110 professionals, educators, and students from more than 100 newsrooms and media colleges across 23 cities in India, representing over 10 languages. This initiative aimed to cultivate foundational AI understanding and hands-on skills in AI tools.

The AIME Academy is designed to serve as a national centre of excellence focused on the integration of artificial intelligence in media and entertainment. Its framework consists of five key elements: capacity building, research, innovation and incubation, responsible AI policy development, and strategic collaboration. The foundation aims to guide IIMC away from traditional media training methods and towards the adoption of more advanced capabilities in media practices.

In support of this vision, the academy intends to create training modules tailored specifically for India’s context, facilitate applied research regarding AI in journalism, and enhance the responsible use of AI practices throughout the Indian media landscape. IIMC operates six regional centres across India, placing it in a unique position to develop language-specific AI capabilities suitable for a diverse audience.

Recognising Training Programme Participants

The graduation ceremony also included a formal certificate presentation to participants from various public media institutions and IIMC, acknowledging their successful completion of the AI Skills Training Programme. The diverse group represented organisations such as Doordarshan, Akashvani (All India Radio), and the Press Information Bureau, showcasing the breadth of engagement across both government and private sectors.

Throughout the programme, participants gained essential AI literacy and practical knowledge in using Google’s advanced AI tools, including NotebookLM, Gemini, AI Studio, and Pinpoint. This training aimed to prepare media professionals for the evolving landscape of journalism influenced by AI technology.

During his address at the event, Secretary Chanchal Kumar commended the participants for their achievements and highlighted the importance of the initiative in shaping the future of Indian media. He acknowledged that AI’s influence on the media is inevitable and called for professionals in the sector to engage with this technology responsibly and with a focus on local contexts.

The Government’s Approach to AI in Media

Chanchal Kumar further emphasised the vital role of India’s public service media institutions in implementing AI effectively, given their responsibility to communicate across diverse languages and regions. He reiterated the importance of maintaining editorial integrity while leveraging AI, stating that while AI can enhance speed and creativity, it should never overshadow human judgment and authenticity.

The Secretary also shared insights regarding the government’s overarching perspective on artificial intelligence as being positive, enabling, and responsible. This approach aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Make AI in India” and “Make AI Work for India,” promoting not only technological advancement but also ethical considerations in the deployment of AI in media practices.

The Google News Initiative AI Skills Programme, which was essential to the training, was developed through a collaboration between IIMC and Google, incorporating contributions from How India Lives. This programme brought together talent across various sectors of journalism, signifying a collective effort towards the future of media in India.

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