IBM Enters MoU With Centre, To Focus On Semicon, AI, Quantum Computing. Here's What Rajeev Chandrasekhar Said On The Deal

Chandrasekhar said, "These three technologies represent tremendous opportunities for our academic ecosystems, start-ups, and the broader opportunity to create global-standard talent in India."

In a significant advancement for India's semiconductor sector, IBM has formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of India, focusing on Semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Quantum Computing. Highlighting the pivotal nature of this collaboration, IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasised, "This is certainly a very important day because these are the three of the four technologies that are going to shape the future of tech and innovation in the coming years – AI, Quantum (computing), and Semiconductor."

The minister further underlined the vast opportunities this partnership presents for India's technology sector and its populace.

Chandrasekhar stressed, "These three technologies represent tremendous opportunities for our academic ecosystems, start-ups, and the broader opportunity to create global-standard talent in India that can take advantage of these opportunities in Quantum (computing) semiconductors, and AI."

Earlier this year, IBM had inked an MoU with the Indian government to develop tailored courses aimed at training individuals for emerging technologies. These agreements were signed with bodies under the Ministries of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on September 27, under the auspices of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

IBM affirmed that the courses resulting from these MoUs will play a crucial role in preparing the youth with essential skills to thrive in the contemporary workforce landscape.

Furthermore, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna had said in April this year that the company is expected to pause hiring for roles that it thinks could be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming years. It means that roughly 7,800 jobs would be replaced by AI, the company said.

Krishna said, "I could easily see 30 per cent of that getting replaced by AI and automation over a five-year period." 

These non-customer-facing roles amount to roughly 26,000 workers, he said. The report also said that an IBM spokesperson clarified that this would mean roughly 7,800 jobs lost. However, part of any reduction would include not replacing roles vacated by attrition.