To create a strong pool of AI-skilled professionals in India, the government will provide support to PhD fellows, graduates, and postgraduates, alongside setting up AI labs across non-metro cities, Parliament was informed on Friday.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada said India's AI strategy aims to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence and establish a robust and inclusive AI ecosystem.

The government will provide support for 500 PhD fellows, 5,000 postgraduates, and 8,000 undergraduates to create a formidable AI talent pool, he added.

This skilling drive will be supported by a significant expansion of infrastructure beyond metropolitan areas.

"IndiaAI, in collaboration with NIELIT, has identified 27 IndiaAI Data and AI labs in Tier II and Tier III cities across the country.

"Additionally, state/UTs have nominated 174 ITIs/Polytechnics for setting up IndiaAI Data and AI labs," the minister said.

Foundational courses on Data and AI -- Data Annotation and Data Curation -- approved by NCVET have been launched in the IndiaAI Data and AI labs to make the future workforce AI-ready, he added.