Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 6: Global chipmaker AMD on Friday announced a major workforce development programme to train one lakh STEM graduates in artificial intelligence (AI) and graphics processing unit (GPU) programming in India over the next three years.

As part of the initiative, the company will also provide one lakh hours of free developer cloud access to Indian startups and researchers to boost innovation in AI and open-source ecosystems.

“The programme will focus on developing expertise in open-source GPU programming, a critical skill set for the next generation of AI applications,” AMD said in a statement.

AMD Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President Mark Papermaster said the initiative would remove cost and complexity barriers for startups. “By opening access to AMD GPUs for training and development—without heavy upfront spend—this programme democratizes compute power and accelerates India’s next generation of innovators,” he said.

Participants will gain hands-on experience with AMD ROCm, the company’s open software stack that includes tools, compilers, libraries, and runtimes for AI and high-performance computing.

Jaya Jagadish, Senior Vice President and Country Head, AMD India, said the move will further empower India’s engineering talent. “We are not just training programmers; we are building the workforce that will drive India’s AI economy. These skilled professionals will create a multiplier effect across industries, contributing to India’s growth trajectory,” she said.

The initiative comes at a time when India’s startup ecosystem and digital transformation are expanding rapidly, with experts calling it a timely push to strengthen AI-led innovation in the country.