Tamil Nadu to Train 5 Lakh Engineering and Vocational Students in AI by 2031: Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson announced a major technological skilling initiative aimed at training five lakh students and faculty members in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2031. Presenting the State Budget in the Legislative Assembly, the Finance Minister launched the AI Industry Development Program to position Tamil Nadu as a leading hub for artificial intelligence and technological innovation.

The comprehensive training drive will cover students and educators across higher technical and vocational education institutions, specifically targeting engineering colleges, polytechnic colleges, and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). To deliver industry-relevant education, an expert committee consisting of academic leaders and technology industry experts will develop specialized AI curricula tailored for higher education.

To ensure world-class training standards, the state government will collaborate with premier institutions, including IIT Madras, as well as leading technology firms. The training modules will focus on practical knowledge in machine learning, data science, and robotics, equipping both students and faculty members with cutting-edge digital skills.

This AI initiative is part of a broader skill development push unveiled in the budget. The government also announced the Vetri Skill Training Scheme to train 13 lakh college students and unemployed youth, alongside expanding school-level AI learning (TN SPARK) to over 7,600 government schools.

By providing practical AI expertise to lakhs of diploma and degree students before they graduate, the state government aims to boost youth employability, close the industry talent gap, and attract top-tier technology investments to Tamil Nadu over the coming decade.