Every year on July 15, the world observes World Youth Skills Day to highlight the importance of skill development for young people. In 2025, the theme “AI and Digital Skills for a Better Future” is especially relevant as Artificial Intelligence (AI) rapidly changes how we live, learn, and work. Technologies that once seemed futuristic, like AI writing tools, coding assistants, and video generators, are now part of everyday life. But while the world moves forward with AI, the big question for India is: Are our youth ready for this future?
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: From Concept to Reality
The story of AI began in 1956, when a group of scientists came together at the Dartmouth Conference and proposed that machines could one day think like humans. Over the years, AI has evolved from basic logic-based programs to powerful systems that can learn and create. In 2022, ChatGPT by OpenAI took the world by storm, reaching 100 million users in just two months. Today, tools like GitHub Copilot help programmers write code, while Sora can generate realistic videos from simple text prompts. These tools are not only helping professionals work faster but are also changing the way we learn, communicate, and solve problems. AI is no longer a thing of the future-it is the present.
Only 1 in 5 Youth Is AI-Skilled
A recent report supported by Google.org and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) revealed that only one in five Indian youth aged 15 to 24 has basic AI-related skills. The barriers include limited exposure to AI in school curricula, a lack of trained educators, inadequate internet access, and gender-based inequalities. Rural youth and girls face an even steeper climb due to the urban-rural digital divide and social norms that discourage participation in tech fields. The report emphasizes that the gap stems not from a lack of talent but from unequal access to resources and opportunity.
A key priority must be equipping teachers with the skills to teach AI and digital tools. According to a 2023 NASSCOM report, only a small fraction of educators are trained to use AI or integrate it into teaching. NCERT’s Digital Education Survey found that over 70% of teachers in government schools are uncomfortable using advanced tech tools (NCERT, 2022).
The Digital Divide
While cities are experiencing rapid technological progress, rural India remains digitally marginalized. According to the National Sample Survey Office, only 24% of rural households have internet access (National Sample Survey Office, 2021). A 2022 Aspire Circle report noted that merely 15% of Indian youth possess basic digital skills. The All India Survey on Higher Education shows only 29% of STEM students are girls (AISHE, 2021–22), indicating a wide gender gap in tech literacy.
AI and the Future of Work in India
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, 44% of workers’ skills are expected to be disrupted by 2027 due to AI and automation (World Economic Forum, 2023). While some jobs will become obsolete, new ones will emerge in areas such as AI development, data analytics, digital content creation, cybersecurity, and responsible AI use. In India, AI is already being used in agriculture to support farmers, in healthcare to assist doctors, and in education to personalize learning. However, to thrive in these evolving sectors, youth must be equipped with digital and AI-specific competencies.
Strengthening the Backbone: Teachers and Institutional Readiness
Comprehensive teacher training in digital pedagogy and AI is really essential. In addition to teacher readiness, India’s education system faces institutional challenges that hinder AI adoption. Many public schools lack reliable internet, updated devices, or even functioning computer labs. Language is a persistent barrier, as most AI tools are English-centric, excluding a vast majority of students who are more comfortable in regional languages. Curricula are outdated and fail to integrate digital literacy meaningfully. These challenges reflect systemic issues that must be addressed to close the AI skills gap and ensure that education remains a pathway to opportunity.
What India Needs to Do Now
To build a digitally inclusive and AI-ready generation, India must revamp its education and training ecosystem. Alongside teacher training, AI and digital literacy must be introduced in schools, especially in rural and public institutions. Vocational training centers and ITIs should modernize their curricula to align with today’s tech demands. Investments are needed in digital infrastructure to close the rural-urban gap, and AI content must be made accessible in regional languages. Equally important is ensuring that girls, differently-abled youth, and marginalized communities have equal access to these opportunities. Collaboration between governments, tech companies, NGOs, and educational institutions will be crucial to achieving these goals.
Empowering a Generation to Lead
World Youth Skills Day 2025 is a pivotal moment to recognize the potential of India’s youth in shaping the country’s future. As India navigates the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, its young population must be equipped with the skills necessary to thrive. By investing in digital education, upskilling educators, and expanding access to AI training, India can unlock the full potential of its youth. This proactive approach will not only prepare young Indians to lead in the electric era of artificial intelligence but also ensure that no one is left behind in this technological revolution. The time to act is now, to empower the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and leaders.
References:
- UNFPA (2021). State of the World Population Report
- National Sample Survey Office (2021). 75th Round: Household Social Consumption on Education
- Aspire Circle (2022). India Philanthropy Report
- NASSCOM (2023). AI & Emerging Technologies Report
- World Economic Forum (2023). Future of Jobs Report
- AISHE (2021–22). All India Survey on Higher Education
- NCERT (2022). Digital Education Survey
- Google.org & ADB (2024). Youth AI Skills Readiness Report
- OpenAI (2023). ChatGPT Usage Metrics
- GitHub Copilot (2023). Productivity Impact Report
The article is written by Soumyashree Mohanty, Research Associate, CYDA, Yogita Bengude Intern CYDA Student’s MMM’S Shankarrao Chavan Law, Pune
