IBM has announced a major commitment to train 5 million learners across India in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing by the year 2030. The move underlines the technology major’s growing confidence in India as a global talent hub and a key pillar in its long-term workforce strategy. The announcement was made on Friday and has drawn attention across the technology and education sectors.

The initiative will be delivered through IBM’s SkillsBuild platform and will focus on students, teachers and working professionals. It aims to make advanced digital skills more accessible by working closely with schools, universities and vocational training institutions. Bodies such as the All India Council for Technical Education will play an important role in helping the programme reach learners across the country.

This commitment comes at a time when India’s digital economy is expanding rapidly. Industry estimates suggest that the digital economy could touch $1.2 trillion by 2030. At the same time, the country’s artificial intelligence market is expected to grow to $17 billion by 2027, creating strong demand for skilled professionals in emerging technologies.

Addressing the Skills Gap in Emerging Technologies

IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna said India has both the talent and ambition to lead the world in areas like AI and quantum computing. He described the plan to train 5 million people as an investment in India’s future. According to him, widening access to advanced skills will help young people innovate and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

The programme will focus on practical and industry-ready learning. It will include hands-on training pathways, curriculum integration and faculty development. Teachers will be trained so that new technologies can be taught more effectively in classrooms. Students will get exposure through hackathons, internships and real-world problem-solving exercises.

IBM is also working on co-developing AI curricula for senior secondary students. This includes resources such as an AI Project Cookbook and teacher handbooks. These materials will focus not just on technical skills, but also on computational thinking and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. The idea is to prepare students early for the ethical and social challenges linked with new technologies.

India’s Growing AI Talent Base Attracts Global Attention

India already has a strong presence in the global AI talent pool. Experts say the country’s AI workforce is expected to nearly double to around 1.25 million professionals by 2027. This would account for about 16 per cent of global AI talent. India’s AI skill penetration is also reported to be 2.5 times higher than the global average.

Over the past few years, the concentration of AI talent in India has grown sharply. Between 2016 and 2024, talent concentration increased by more than 250 per cent. This rapid growth reflects both the demand from global companies and the increasing interest among Indian students and professionals in advanced technologies.

India is also home to nearly 55 per cent of the world’s Global Capability Centres. These centres play a key role in enterprise technology development, including AI solutions for global businesses. With the AI workforce growing at an annual rate of over 16 per cent, India has become a critical engine for innovation and digital transformation.

Part of a Larger Global Commitment by IBM

The India-focused initiative is a major part of IBM’s broader global pledge to train 30 million people worldwide by 2030. Through SkillsBuild, IBM currently offers more than 1,000 courses covering AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, cloud technologies, data science and sustainability. The platform has already reached over 16 million learners across 168 countries.

The latest announcement also builds on IBM’s earlier collaboration with AICTE. In October 2025, the two partners had announced plans to set up a National AI Lab at AICTE headquarters in New Delhi. The lab is expected to act as a central hub for AI research, innovation and training, accessible to technical institutions across India.

With strong government support for digital education and a fast-growing technology ecosystem, India is seen as central to IBM’s long-term plans. The company’s latest commitment signals that global technology firms see skill development as the key to sustaining growth, innovation and employment in the years ahead.

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