SAP India Targets 2 Million People for AI Skilling by 2030

SAP India on October 28 announced plans to expand its artificial intelligence skilling initiatives to equip two million people in India with AI-ready skills by 2030. The initiative forms part of SAP’s global commitment to prepare 12 million people for an AI-powered economy by the end of the decade.

The enterprise software company said it would expand its existing learning, certification and workforce development programmes through partnerships with academic institutions, government bodies, industry partners and community organisations. The programmes will cover AI, cloud computing, data and enterprise technologies.

“Of the two million people we expect to train in AI skills before 2030, nearly 13% have already participated through certification, student education and community programmes,” said Manish Prasad, President and Managing Director of SAP Indian Subcontinent.

Prasad said the initiative would help more people develop the capabilities needed to contribute to India’s AI-led growth.

According to SAP, India accounts for approximately 48% of its certified learners worldwide, highlighting the country’s contribution to the company’s global talent ecosystem.

SAP said it works with state governments and skill development institutions to align technology training with regional workforce needs. Through the Future Right Skills Network, the company also collaborates with industry partners and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to improve AI and workplace readiness among vocational learners at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

The company is also expanding industry-linked education through SAP University Alliances and SAP Learning Hub Student Edition, which provide students with training and certification pathways in AI, cloud, data and enterprise technologies.

A recent Career Readiness Training Programme launched by PwC India and SAP India with KIIT Bhubaneswar is one example of its efforts to connect engineering education with industry requirements.

SAP said its professional learning programmes offer role-based training, practical exercises and industry-recognised credentials for students, early-career workers and experienced professionals. Its assessments evaluate learners’ ability to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios, including through SAP Joule for Consultants.

The company is also targeting women, unemployed graduates and young people outside established technology hubs through initiatives such as Code Unnati, Digital Academy and AI Careers for Women. SAP said its STEM and community programmes collectively offer more than 1,100 curriculum hours covering AI, digital and workplace skills, alongside mentoring and employment support.

The programmes are intended to expand access to technology careers, including for learners in Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations.

SAP’s India target contributes to its broader global effort to build AI-ready talent by 2030. The company said its expanded initiatives would focus on helping learners apply emerging technologies in workplace settings as AI becomes more widely used across business functions.