New Delhi, January 1, 2026. President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, on Thursday launched the #SkillTheNation AI Challenge at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. On the occasion, she also virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur in Odisha.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping economies and societies across the world. For a young nation like India, AI is not merely a technology but a powerful opportunity for positive transformation. She noted that AI is changing the way people learn, work, access modern services and address some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
President Murmu подчеркнула that India’s approach to technology has always been people-centric, aimed at empowerment, inclusion and widening access to opportunities. She emphasised that AI should be leveraged to bridge social, economic and technological divides, ensuring that its benefits reach people across all backgrounds and age groups, especially the underprivileged.
Expressing happiness at seeing students prepare themselves for a future full of possibilities, the President urged them to use technology, knowledge and skills in the service of society, to find solutions to challenges and to empower others. She also commended Members of Parliament who completed AI learning modules, saying they set an example of leadership through learning by engaging with emerging technologies.
