The NIIT Foundation and Bhual Singh Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up the first AI Literate Village in Uttar Pradesh in the village Javansipur of the Mariahu Block of Jaunpur district. The project will be focused on enhancing access to AI education and digital literacy and employability skilling training in rural areas and will be part of the wider digital skilling movement in India.

The project will establish a Skill Development Centre in Jamalapur to provide a well-structured learning programme on AI awareness, Digital literacy, Financial literacy, Career counselling, and AI-based job linked Learning. The project aims to address the needs of the underserved communities by enhancing access to digital education and skills training related to employment in the post-pandemic digital economy, and to boost their participation in this digitisation.

To develop skills for Rural Learners through Skill Development Centre

The Skill Development Centre will serve as a community learning centre where the young people, women, students and other community members will be given training, said the organisations. In addition to introducing participants to Artificial Intelligence and digital tools, the centre will also be offering employability skills, financial literacy, career counselling and placement assistance.

The programme has been developed to reinforce digital inclusion by providing practical skills that will enhance the employment opportunities and confidence of using technology for the entrepreneurship and increase the confidence of the learners in the programme. It also aims to boost participation from women and marginalised groups by improving the access to digital learning.

Programme Targets 400 Beneficiaries

The target number of beneficiaries is 400, targeted by several learning streams. Of these 100 learners will be enrolled in career courses and another 150 people will be given foundation skilling. Another 150 beneficiaries will benefit from the training using the AI awareness, financial literacy and future skills programmes.

The organisations estimate that around 45 learners will complete training in a career direction that will provide them with placement opportunities. Along with technical skills, the participants will get career counselling and exposure to digital tools that are gaining relevance in varying sectors.

Emphasize Responsible AI and Digital Confidence

In addition to vocational training, the programme focuses on the responsible use of technology, cyber safety and AI awareness. The curriculum aims to engage learners in the knowledge of new and upcoming technology while encouraging them to be safe and informed digital users.

The project also aims to foster trust in the use of digital tools in education, employment and daily life among rural residents. As technology increasingly enters into economic and social life, it is important to promote digital confidence, organisers said.

Organisations Highlight Shared Vision

Charu Kapoor, Country Director, NIIT Foundation, commented on the partnership saying that Technology can provide opportunities to communities when access is extended to learning. AI Literate Village is designed to impart to the rural youth awareness on AI, digital literacy, employability and establish an ecosystem for lifelong learning which will help them to sustain their livelihoods and growth in their career, she said.

Collaboration exemplifies a shared goal of providing quality education and future ready skills for the rural population, said Deepa Amit Singh, Director of Bhual Singh Foundation. Understanding and adopting AI, and digital literacy and employability, could help build resilient and independent communities and inclusive growth, she added.

To promote long-term sustainability through local capacity building.To encourage sustainable development by building local capacity.

The organisations report that the project has been developed to be implemented beyond the one year period, in a Train-the-Teacher model. The teachers will be trained to deliver the learning programmes in the future without relying on external trainers.

The project will expand the smart classroom infrastructure and digital learning resources and over time transfer them to schools, thus establishing community-owned learning assets. Bhual Singh Foundation is also looking at using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and philanthropic partnerships to help expand and sustain the programme.

Supporting rural digital inclusion through collaboration

The partnership aims to showcase the potential of using technology-driven skilling programs to help achieve digital inclusion in rural areas, as well as enhance employability and access to new technologies. The programme is designed to equip learners from rural areas with the skills of AI awareness and digital and financial literacy, enabling them to adapt to the evolving demands of the labor market while also fostering sustainable socio-economic growth.

This partnership between the NIIT Foundation and Bhual Singh Foundation was made possible by the Rajanaya Consulting Pvt Ltd, through its representatives Kevin Marks and Tauseef Alam.