Microsoft To Skill 1 Lakh Indian Developers In AI Tools With ‘AI Odyssey’ | How To Apply and Other Details
Microsoft AI Odyssey is a free initiative launched by Microsoft India in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to train 1,00,000 people in India on artificial intelligence skills by 2025. The initiative aims to empower students, educators, and professionals with the knowledge and tools to build innovative AI solutions and applications for various domains and industries.
To enroll in the initiative, one has to register on the Microsoft Learn platform and choose from a range of AI courses and certifications that suit their level and interest. The courses cover topics such as AI fundamentals, machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, conversational AI, and more. The courses are self-paced and interactive, with quizzes, videos, and hands-on exercises. Upon completion of the courses, the learners can earn digital badges and certificates that can be shared on their resumes and social media profiles.
The benefits of enrolling in the initiative are manifold.
- First, the learners can acquire valuable AI skills that are in high demand in the current and future job market. According to a report by LinkedIn, AI is one of the top emerging skills in India, with a 46% annual growth rate in hiring.
- Second, the learners can access the latest AI technologies and tools from Microsoft, such as Azure, Cognitive Services, Bot Framework, and Power Platform, and learn how to use them to create innovative AI solutions and applications.
- Third, the learners can join a community of AI enthusiasts and experts, and get access to mentorship, guidance, and support from Microsoft and its partners.
Learning programming is an essential skill for anyone who wants to pursue a career in AI or create AI solutions and applications. Programming languages are how humans can communicate with machines and instruct them to perform tasks using algorithms and data.
Many programming languages can be used for AI, such as Python, R, Java, C#, and more. Each language has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the type and complexity of the AI problem to be solved. However, some of the common features that make a programming language suitable for AI are:
- High-level and easy to read and write
- Supports multiple paradigms, such as object-oriented, functional, and procedural
- Has a large and active community and ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and tools
- Has good performance and scalability
- Has interoperability and compatibility with other languages and platforms
One of the most popular and widely used programming languages for AI is Python. Python has all the features mentioned above, and more. It is a simple, expressive, and versatile language that can be used for various AI tasks, such as data analysis, machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and more. Python has a rich set of libraries and frameworks for AI, such as NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, OpenCV, NLTK, and more. Python also has a large and active community of developers and researchers who contribute to the advancement and innovation of AI.
If you want to learn programming for AI, Python is a good choice to start with. You can find many online courses, books, tutorials, and resources that can help you learn Python and its applications for AI. Some of the recommended sources are:
[Python for Everybody]:
A free online course that teaches the basics of Python and its use for data analysis and visualization.
[Introduction to Python Programming]:
A free online course that teaches the fundamentals of Python and its use for problem-solving and automation.
[Python for Data Science and AI]:
A free online course that teaches how to use Python and its libraries for data science and AI tasks, such as data manipulation, analysis, visualization, machine learning, and more.
[Python Machine Learning]:
A book that covers the theory and practice of machine learning with Python and its libraries, such as Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and Keras.
[Hands-on Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn, Keras, and TensorFlow]:
A book that teaches how to build, train, and deploy machine learning and deep learning models with Python and its libraries, such as Scikit-learn, Keras, and TensorFlow.
[Python for Computer Vision with OpenCV and Deep Learning]:
A course that teaches how to use Python and OpenCV to perform computer vision tasks, such as image processing, face detection, object detection, and more.
[Natural Language Processing with Python]:
A book that teaches how to use Python and NLTK to perform natural language processing tasks, such as text analysis, parsing, sentiment analysis, and more.
Microsoft AI Odyssey Program Details
The AI Odyssey is a month-long program. It’s open to all AI enthusiasts in India, no matter their experience level or background. To join, developers need to register on aka.ms/AIOdyssey and access the learning modules and resources.
Level One: Learning Azure AI Services
The first level of the program teaches participants how to use Azure AI services. They’ll learn how to create and deploy AI solutions for different scenarios. This level provides resources, code samples, and guides to help participants master practical AI skills.
Level Two: Proving AI Skills
The second level of the program challenges participants to prove their AI skills. They’ll complete an online assessment with interactive lab tasks. Successful participants will earn Microsoft Applied Skills credentials. These credentials verify their ability to solve real-world problems with AI.
Win a VIP Pass to the Microsoft AI Tour
Participants who complete both levels of challenges could win a VIP Pass. This pass lets them attend the Microsoft AI Tour in Bengaluru on February 8. The AI Tour is a unique event that shows how generative AI can enable new forms of creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Interested Individuals can join the AI Odyssey Program by following these steps:
1. Visit the registration page at aka.ms/AIOdyssey.
2. Register by providing the necessary details.
3. Once registered, you will gain access to the learning modules and resources.
4. Start with the first level of the program, which involves learning how to use Azure AI services.
5. After completing the first level, move on to the second level, which involves proving your AI skills through an online assessment.