Lucknow: To establish and foster an Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem, the Uttar Pradesh govt is working to transform Lucknow into the nation’s first AI city. The initiative has received official approval, announced Nitin Agarwal, minister of state (Independent Charge), department of excise and prohibition, while addressing delegates at an AI Vision Conclave organised by The Economic Times.
“We have identified the land where infrastructure and auxiliary facilities will be developed to strengthen the AI ecosystem. Advancing the IT sector is crucial for attracting investment to the state. Since we currently lack comprehensive knowledge of AI, additional conclaves are necessary to facilitate discussions between the govt and industry on AI utilisation and its potential to improve our efficiency and effectiveness. We commend The Economic Times for organising three conclaves thus far,” said the minister.
“In the upcoming Maha Kumbh, the state govt has implemented an AI-enabled sophisticated messaging system in the hospital ICU constructed in the Mela area. The system will translate 22 regional and 19 international languages to assist doctors and nursing staff treating patients from non-Hindi-speaking regions,” he said.
To further promote AI, the Govt of India has recently sanctioned Rs 10,000 crore for the India AI mission programme. In the first quarter of 2024, India saw the emergence of approximately 240 generative AI startups and is currently ranked sixth globally.
Raju Vegesna, chairman and MD of Sify Technologies, said, “We must build an AI hub in India, or we will fall behind. The Govt of Uttar Pradesh’s initiative to create a model AI hub in Lucknow requires substantial manpower and funding.”
Vishal Dhupar, MD of NVIDIA South Asia, said, “Indians are in every IT company around the world; we lead because of our skills. Without Indians, there would be no IT. This is the biggest contribution we’ve made to our economy. I strongly believe that if Lucknow becomes an AI city, it will be the AI capital of the world.”
Anil Kumar Sagar, principal secretary of the IT and electronics department, said, “Our chief minister has given us a task. Twenty years ago, Lucknow missed the opportunity to excel in technology, but not this time. To build an IT city in Lucknow, we’ve identified several key areas to build models using govt datasets, and policies on AI and cybersecurity.”
