Govt Allocates Rs. 990 Crore for 3 AI Centres of Excellence

Key Highlights

• Govt allocates Rs. 990 crore for AI Centres of Excellence.
• Focus areas: healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities.
• Led by AIIMS and IITs Delhi, Ropar, Kanpur.
• Centres will boost innovation, startups, and job creation.
• Supports India's vision of becoming a global AI leader.

The Government of India has announced the establishment of three new Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence (AI-CoEs) with a total investment of Rs. 990 crore. These centres will focus on advancements in healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities, helping India become a global leader in AI and supporting the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).

Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, launched these AI-CoEs during an event in New Delhi. He shared that these centres aim to promote research, innovation, and development in key sectors, contributing to the nation's growth. The institutions leading these centres include AIIMS and leading IITs in Delhi, Ropar, and Kanpur.

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Key Focus Areas of the AI-CoEs:

1. Healthcare: The AI-CoE will work on developing AI-driven solutions for medical research, patient care, and health technologies.
2. Agriculture: The centre will focus on improving agricultural practices through AI, boosting crop production, and helping farmers with AI-powered tools.
3. Sustainable Cities: This AI-CoE will aim to create smart city solutions that enhance urban planning, reduce environmental impact, and improve city living standards.

Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that these AI-CoEs would become centres of innovation and excellence, fostering India's progress in AI. He expressed that the AI-CoEs would support startups, create new jobs, and empower the next generation of innovators.

Collaboration for Success

K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, emphasized that the centres would work closely with various industries, startups, and academic institutions. This collaborative approach aims to maximize the impact of AI technologies across the country. Additionally, Dr. Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho Corporation, stressed the importance of nurturing India’s AI talent to serve the nation for decades.

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Vision for the Future

The initiative is part of the Government's broader vision of "Make AI in India, Make AI Work for India," which was announced in the 2023-24 budget. The Rs. 990 crore allocated for the AI-CoEs will be used over five years to build a strong AI ecosystem, driving research and creating employment opportunities.

The launch event also featured presentations from key figures, including Saumya Gupta, Joint Secretary of the Department of Higher Education. The event concluded with the screening of a short film on AI’s transformative potential in India.

With the establishment of these centres, India is assured to take a significant step toward becoming a global AI hub, driving innovation in healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities.

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CMV360 Says

The establishment of these AI Centres of Excellence marks a significant milestone in India's journey toward AI leadership. With a focus on healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities, the initiative will drive innovation, boost job creation, and support the nation's vision of becoming a global hub for AI advancements.