Ministry of Skill Development, Meta launch AI assistant for upskilling
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has announced the launch of 'Skill India Assistant' (SIA). The chatbot, being dubbed as an AI-driven 'digital mentor', was developed in collaboration with Meta. It is implemented by Sarvam AI, and it leverages Meta's open-source Llama models to provide personalised skilling guidance using WhatsApp as the platform.
According to a statement, this marks the first large-scale integration of an open-source AI model into a national public skilling mission.
SIA is accessible to users by sending a message to +91-844-868-4032 on WhatsApp. It offers a user-friendly interface where individuals can explore a variety of skilling courses, locate nearby training centers, and access job opportunities tailored to their profiles.
What are its features?
SIA offers a range of features designed to assist users in their skilling journey:
Course Recommendations: Personalised suggestions based on user interests and career goals.
Training Center Locator: Information on nearby skilling centers for hands-on training.
Job Listings: Access to employment opportunities aligned with the user's skill set.
Interactive Learning: Quizzes and doubt clarification to reinforce learning.
Multilingual Support: Communication in English, Hindi, and Hinglish, with plans for additional languages.
The assistant supports interactions in English, Hindi, and Hinglish, with plans to incorporate more regional languages later on. Users can interact with SIA through text or voice messages as well.
During the launch, Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, highlighted the transformative potential of SIA, saying, 'The Skill India Assistant marks a pivotal shift in how we deliver learning and employment support to our citizens. By harnessing the power of AI in a familiar platform like WhatsApp, we are bringing personalised skilling guidance directly to the fingertips of millions especially those in remote and underserved areas.'
Shivnath Thukral, Vice President and Head of Public Policy at Meta India, highlighted the societal impact of the initiative. He said, 'With this launch, we aim to enhance how AI can serve society. The Skill India Assistant (SIA) demonstrates that open-source technology, when deployed thoughtfully and collaboratively, can uplift millions. We are pleased to support India's vision of an inclusive, empowered, digitally connected economy.'
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