For decades, India looked up to the West for advancements and innovations in technology and artificial intelligence. Now, the tables are turning. To promote the AI revolution and ensure that AI technologies serve the country’s unique requirements, both the central and state governments in India are introducing AI policies and initiatives.
Tech giants like Meta, Google, Microsoft and OpenAI have already been making headlines with their groundbreaking progress in AI. It’s only recently that India’s AI moment arrived when Reliance, at its 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) introduced the Jio Brain, Jio AI-Cloud, Jio PhoneCall AI, and a vision for a national AI infrastructure.
As we near the end of 2024, let us take a look at how various Indian state governments have embraced AI.
Kerala Leads in Policy and Partnerships
In July, Kerala declared its vision to become a global hub for generative AI. At an international conclave, the state’s industries and law minister P Rajeev laid out the roadmap for an AI ecosystem rich with incentives, support, and partnerships, all aligned with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
The state plans to establish an AI cluster and set up an industrial park, aiming for a public-private partnership model that can harness both local and global expertise.
Tamil Nadu is About AI for Social Good
Recently, the Tamil Nadu government announced its ambitious five-year plan, the Tamil Nadu Artificial Intelligence Mission (TNAIM). The initiative, headed by chief minister MK Stalin, aims to position the state as a leading AI hub in India. TNAIM is dedicated to developing AI solutions that improve governance and drive social and economic growth.
The mission, modelled by the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency alongside local tech organisations, will initially receive an INR 13.93 crore investment. TNAIM’s underlying principle—“social good by design”—highlights Tamil Nadu’s commitment to creating AI solutions that make a real difference.
Karnataka Backs AI in Education and GCCs
Karnataka is betting heavily on the application of AI in education. Shiksha Co-pilot, a generative AI-powered digital assistant for teacher training launched by the state’s school education minister Madhu Bangarappa, is transforming how teachers prepare and deliver lessons.
Recently, the state launched India’s first draft Global Capability Centres (GCC) Policy, aiming to attract 500 new centres and create over 3.5 lakh jobs by 2029. The policy underscores Karnataka’s commitment to become a national leader in AI-driven global business solutions.
In February, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah announced that the state is set to establish an AI/ML administration unit. As many as 200 engineering graduates enrolled in vocational training courses related to AI/ML at institutes like IISc, IITs, and NITs will receive a stipend of INR 15,000.
Andhra Pradesh Aims for AI City
In Andhra Pradesh, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to develop Amaravati as a city centred around AI.
In partnership with the tech giant, the state government launched ‘AI for Andhra Pradesh, Powered by Google’. This initiative aims to integrate AI into agriculture, healthcare, skill development, and sustainability.
A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is anticipated soon, setting the stage for transformative AI applications that will touch every sector of society.
Telangana’s Transformation with Meta
Telangana has partnered with Meta to harness generative AI in e-governance. In the next two years, this initiative will improve public service efficiency using Meta’s latest AI models, such as the Llama series.
The state government has also signed an MoU with the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) to develop an AI-focused World Trade Center in Hyderabad’s proposed AI City. This visionary project aims to host the world’s leading AI firms and foster a robust ecosystem for AI innovation.
Maharashtra Builds AI for Agriculture, Education, and Healthcare
Maharashtra’s AI initiatives are driven by collaborations with tech giants like Google. This year, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis signed an MoU with Google to bring AI solutions to agriculture, healthcare, and education.
The state also teamed up with the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology to establish a Centre of Excellence in AI, IoT, robotics, and Industry 4.0, which aims to cultivate a skilled AI workforce.
Gujarat for Sustainable AI Development
The Gujarat government recently made a big move in the AI space when Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced three Centres of Excellence (CoE) focused on healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities. The central government has allocated nearly INR 990 crore to support these centres.
Gujarat, in partnership with IBM, also launched an AI Cluster within GIFT City, designed to drive digital transformation in the financial sector through IBM’s AI platform watsonx. This collaboration provides institutions with tools like an AI Sandbox and fosters AI literacy programs.
What is India’s Budget for AI?
In July, the newly formed central government tabled the Union Budget for the year 2024-25.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has allocated INR 551.75 crore to the IndiaAI Mission, emphasising its commitment to advancing AI research and applications.
Earlier in March 2024, the Cabinet approved INR 10,354 crore for the AI Mission. Under the program, startups and universities will be provided with 10,000 graphics processing units (GPUs).
According to IndiaAI Mission, this financial boost for the next five years will drive key initiatives, including the IndiaAI Compute Capacity, IndiaAI Innovation Centre (IAIC), IndiaAI Datasets Platform, IndiaAI Application Development Initiative, IndiaAI FutureSkills, IndiaAI Startup Financing, and Safe & Trusted AI.
But is this enough? Given the rapid pace of global AI advancements, India will need to amplify its efforts and scale up investments to stay competitive on the world stage.
The post Top AI Initiatives by Indian State Governments in 2024 appeared first on Analytics India Magazine.
