Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati
Amaravati, Aug 16: Andhra Pradesh has emerged as the top-performing state in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics skilling under the FutureSkills PRIME programme, according to the state government.
FutureSkills PRIME is a digital skilling initiative of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) and the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), offering industry-aligned courses in emerging technologies.
The state government said that under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's technology-led vision and focus on emerging technologies, Andhra Pradesh is building a sizeable pool of future-ready talent.
According to an official release, 1,53,783 candidates in Andhra Pradesh were enrolled or trained in AI and Big Data Analytics over the last three years.
Citing Central government statistics, the release said Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest number of candidates completing or receiving certification in AI and Big Data Analytics under FutureSkills PRIME among all states. Of the 1,53,783 candidates, 1,08,895 have completed certification.
The figures, provided by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in the Lok Sabha last week, offer a measure of the state's growing technology-skilling base under the FutureSkills PRIME programme.
The state government said the key indicator was not merely enrolment, but the number of candidates who had completed training or received certification. More than 1.08 lakh candidates have completed or received certification, creating a substantial pool of trained talent in two technologies expected to play a major role in the next phase of the digital economy.
The AI and Big Data figures form part of a larger FutureSkills PRIME footprint in Andhra Pradesh. More than 4.34 lakh candidates have been enrolled or trained across the programme in the state, including more than 2.13 lakh in AI and Big Data Analytics.
FutureSkills PRIME focuses on skilling, reskilling and upskilling in emerging technologies such as AI, Big Data Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber Security, Blockchain and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), through industry-aligned courses.
The programme has recorded more than 34 lakh registrations nationally, with over 23 lakh candidates enrolled or trained and more than 13 lakh completing or receiving certification. Around 86 per cent of the candidates are from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
For Andhra Pradesh, the state government said the figures underline its efforts to build a technology workforce beyond conventional IT skills and create a talent pool capable of supporting emerging AI and quantum industries.
Chief Minister Naidu has repeatedly projected technology as an economic opportunity for the state, while IT Minister Nara Lokesh has been driving initiatives focused on emerging technologies, investment and high-value employment.
The state's plans to develop Visakhapatnam as a technology and AI hub, along with the development of Amaravati as a modern, technology-driven capital, provide a wider economic context for the growing technology talent base, the release said.