1M1B Launch Green Skills and AI Innovation Centre in Bengaluru

The 1M1B Foundation (One Million for One Billion), in collaboration with Microsoft, MeitY Startup Hub and the Karnataka government, launched the first-of-its-kind Green Skills and Applied AI for Climate Action Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. 

The facility was opened at the Government Sri Krishnarajendra Silver Jubilee Technological Institute. The centre boasts a gaming and designing studio, equipment for students to learn the basics of solar and wind energy, an automotive division to analyse the functioning of an electric two-wheeler, along with a digital library.

The Bengaluru CoE is the first of five planned CoEs to be established under the Green Skills and Applied AI for Climate Action programme, which aims to skill 100,000 youth by 2030, the company said in a statement. In its first year, 20,000 youth will be trained, with at least 10,000 gaining access to jobs, internships, apprenticeships, project-based gigs and other livelihood opportunities.

“This Centre of Excellence will significantly expand career pathways and create employment opportunities for students This marks a new chapter in Karnataka’s higher education ecosystem. As part of the State’s commitment to employment-oriented education, our government institutions are placing strong emphasis on skill development,” said Dr MC Sudhakar, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka.

Speaking at the launch, Somanna Palacanda, Microsoft Elevate – International Field Leader, said, “Climate change is a real and pressing issue. Now, with the innovation and scale of generative AI, it has created capabilities to solve some of the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. More than 50% of people who have green skills are employed faster than others. While there were 1.5 million jobs with green skills last year, by 2030 this number is expected to go up to 13 million globally.” 

Manav Subodh, Founder of the non-profit 1M1B, added, “This programme will nurture India’s youth as climate problem-solvers and innovation leaders, while creating scalable models that can be replicated across states and extended to the Global South. We are reaching out to rural, tier-2 and 3 cities in India to tap into the talent by providing the necessary infrastructure.”

The facility aims to empower youth from Karnataka to work on real-world challenges through hands-on training, applied AI projects and innovation cohorts. Top participants will gain access to incubation and go-to-market pathways, internships with climate-tech startups, and advanced opportunities to strengthen employability and entrepreneurship outcomes.

Through the CoEs, a Problem Solvers Registry will also be created, comprising top young climate innovators from across the country. This registry will provide governments access to climate talent capable of innovating for state-level and national-level problem statements, the company said.