Uttar Pradesh is rapidly positioning itself as a national leader in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government has been swiftly integrating AI across key sectors including education, security, agriculture, administration, and industry.
The inauguration of India’s first AI-Augmented Multidisciplinary University, being set up by Chandigarh University in Unnao, stands as the latest and strongest example of this transformation. Located along the Lucknow-Kanpur highway, this is not just a university, it is about laying the foundation for an AI-skilled Uttar Pradesh that has the potential to become a national and global hub for technology-driven talent in the coming years.
Under Uttar Pradesh’s flagship programme AI Pragya, the state government is training 10 lakh youth, teachers, Gram Pradhans, government employees, and farmers in AI, data analytics, machine learning, and cybersecurity. This initiative is being run in collaboration with tech giants like Microsoft, Intel, Google, and Guvi. The plan is to train 1.5 lakh people every month, with a special focus on six major departments – Education, Health, Agriculture, Rural Development, Revenue, and Secretariat Administration. Participants also receive industry-ready certifications after the training.
AI is also being used to improve safety in the state. Under the Safe City Project, AI-enabled CCTV cameras with number plate recognition, SOS alerts, and facial recognition features have been installed in 17 municipal corporations. These are connected to the 112 helpline and police control rooms to ensure 24×7 monitoring for the safety of women, senior citizens, and children.
In agriculture, the UP-AGRIS project, launched at a cost of ₹4,000 crore with World Bank support, is bringing AI-based farming models to 10 lakh farmers. Tools like smart irrigation, drone mapping, and pest detection are being used. The project also involves 10,000 women’s self-help groups and provides farmer-producer organisations with digital market access.
The Revenue Department is using satellite imaging and AI algorithms for land consolidation and record management. This helps ensure transparent, quick, and dispute-free land distribution and enables digital mapping at the village level. Additionally, all 70 jails in the state are now equipped with the AI-based surveillance system ‘Jarvis’, which monitors every inmate’s activity, marking a significant step toward transparency in prison management.
The Geology and Mining Department has adopted advanced technology to monitor mining activities. Measures include geo-fencing of mining areas, camera-equipped weighbridges, and RFID tags on vehicles to track mineral transportation. Moreover, 57 unmanned IoT/AI-based check gates have been installed in 25 districts, all integrated with the department’s command centre for real-time monitoring.
Under the state’s AI initiatives, several important projects have been launched:
- India’s first AI-based breast cancer screening centre has been set up in Fatehpur.
- The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has used cutting-edge technology and equipment from ETH University, Zurich (Switzerland) based on AI and vibration analysis to improve the riding quality and comfort of expressways.
- To ensure the Police Constable Recruitment Exam 2023 was fair and transparent, AI was used to create a massive question bank of 15,000 questions, which were randomised during the exam to maintain integrity.
- AI and machine learning technologies are being adopted to make better use of pharma research and health data for improved medical outcomes.
- To implement CM Yogi’s vision, IBM is soon establishing a state-of-the-art AI-powered software lab in Lucknow. This facility will drive AI innovation and applications, boost productivity and efficiency, and help improve citizen services in the state.
