MIB launches MyWAVES to power citizen creators, unveils AI skilling push

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on Monday unveiled a set of initiatives aimed at boosting India’s media and entertainment ecosystem, with a strong focus on creator participation through the newly launched MyWAVES platform.

Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched three key initiatives. A national AI skilling programme in partnership with Google and YouTube, the MyWAVES citizen creator platform on WAVES OTT, and the rollout of advanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) alongside in-built satellite tuners in television sets to enhance access to DD Free Dish services.

The minister said the initiatives are aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of democratising technology and promoting the ‘Orange Economy’. He added that the integration of in-built satellite tuners and advanced programme guides would enable seamless access to television content without the need for additional equipment.

Highlighting MyWAVES, Vaishnaw described it as a significant step towards strengthening India’s digital content ecosystem. The platform allows users to create, upload and share content, shifting WAVES OTT from a passive viewing service to an active content participation platform. He also urged creators to leverage platforms like Doordarshan and MyWAVES to showcase India’s cultural and regional diversity.

MyWAVES has been positioned as a structured user-generated content platform that supports multiple formats, including short-form, vertical and episodic content, along with a multilingual interface. It is also expected to integrate with national initiatives such as the Create in India Challenge, offering opportunities for emerging creators across the country.

Speaking on the broader policy direction, I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju said the three initiatives collectively aim to build creator capabilities, expand opportunities and ensure wider access to quality broadcasting. He noted that while the AI skilling initiative will equip creators with future-ready skills, MyWAVES will enable content creation and distribution, and the DD Free Dish-related upgrades will improve accessibility, particularly in remote areas.

As part of the AI push, the ministry announced a national skilling initiative to train 15,000 individuals from the media and entertainment sector in collaboration with Google and YouTube. The programme will be implemented through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and will cover areas such as animation, visual effects, gaming and media technology.

The training will be conducted in two phases. The first phase, running from March 23 to June 30, 2026, will focus on foundational AI courses, including generative AI and prompting essentials. The second phase, scheduled between July and December 2026, will offer advanced, hands-on training with tools such as Gemini, Veo and Vertex AI, along with modules on storytelling and YouTube best practices.

Gunjan Soni, Managing Director, India at YouTube, said the collaboration aims to help creators harness AI for storytelling, expand their reach and contribute to the evolving digital media landscape.

The ministry said the combined initiatives are expected to strengthen India’s position as a global hub for digital content creation while enabling wider access to broadcasting services and fostering a more inclusive creator economy.