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With a population of 365 million, India has the largest youth population in the world. Today’s youth must be equipped with the skills needed to lead in an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven world. With almost universal 4G coverage and high internet penetration among youth aged 15-24 – 82.1% in rural areas and 91.8% in urban areas – the key question is whether they have the skills, tools and opportunities to translate digital access and connectivity into meaningful outcomes.
AI and digital literacy empower today’s youth with the necessary capabilities – they can equip young people with the skills to innovate, adapt and thrive in the rapidly evolving world of work, opening avenues to new forms of entrepreneurship, problem-solving and economic participation.
This is where partnerships matter – between governments, industry, academia, development agencies and grassroots organisations. Such collaborations are helpful in bridging the gap between digital access and digital empowerment. They are critical in raising awareness about the role of technology in shaping youth livelihoods, creating inclusive platforms for digital skill development and investing in scalable, future-ready skills ecosystems.
AI drives innovation across industries and creates new avenues for growth and productivity. Youth should be made aware that AI enhances human capabilities and creates space for more meaningful, higher-value work. The World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2025 shows that both machines and humans could be significantly more productive in 2030. Providing high-value results in the same or less time.
Stakeholders should combine efforts to bridge the digital skills gap between urban-rural populations, minority groups and age groups. Inclusive AI skills are especially important for marginalized communities, ensuring that technology becomes a tool for equality. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge the potential risks so that no one – rural youth, marginalized groups or young women – is left behind. Such targeted skills programs reduce disparities and ensure equal access to opportunities.
India should accelerate demand-led skill training to enhance the employability of youth and promote youth-led innovation. That said, skilling initiatives thrive in a supportive ecosystem where strong partnerships help youth chart their career paths.
Digital literacy is now a prerequisite for all professionals, who must navigate virtual platforms and critically assess the quality and reliability of the information they encounter. The ability to identify useful resources from a sea of irrelevant, biased, or even false information is a core competency in the hyperconnected digital landscape.
For India’s youth, digital literacy must be rooted in real-world applications. One such initiative is YUVAI, which has been launched by the Government of India as part of its comprehensive vision.‘AI for all’. The program provides foundational AI knowledge and skills to students in grades 8 to 12, enabling them to understand and responsibly apply AI concepts.
Responsible AI adoption can only be ensured if ethics and guardrails are incorporated into AI training. This includes understanding data privacy, algorithmic fairness, sustainable practices, and the inevitable role of human judgment in AI decision making. Integrating these principles with real-world AI applications makes youth conscientious users of technology.
start early! As AI education and digital skills make entry into the workforce easier, it is important to introduce them in secondary school. Early exposure helps learners interact with technology safely and ethically while building important skills for future careers. Inclusion of AI and digital skills in the curriculum promotes an innovative mindset among the youth.
The digital divide is about more than access to the internet and devices; This represents the skills gap between youth who are ready for industries – from engineering and finance to health care and the arts – and those who are not. This gap also needs to be bridged in emerging areas such as green skills that impact sustainability.
Strong partnerships, teacher training and youth-centric skills platforms are essential to achieve this vision in India: empower youth today so they can shape the country’s tomorrow.
This article is written by Ashwin Yardi, CEO-India, Capgemini and Giorgia Varisco, Chief of Youth Development and Partnerships, UNICEF India.
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