AI City to be built on 200 acres near Hyderabad, says Telangana govt

Hyderabad, September 5 (IANS): The Telangana state government on Thursday unveiled its vision for the Artificial Intelligence City, an ambitious project to be built on a 200-acre site near Hyderabad.

The state-of-the-art AI City will serve as a dynamic hub for the AI ​​ecosystem, housing an AI Advisory Board supported by a network of AI research and collaborations, leading universities, global corporations and innovative startups, in line with state government guidelines.

The AI ​​City logo was unveiled by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at the Global AI Summit 2024, which began on Thursday.

AI City will provide an ideal collaborative environment, driving the development of next-generation AI technologies and solutions. It will house state-of-the-art data centres and high-performance computing facilities, enabling organisations to innovate at scale. The facility will also provide citizens with direct access to the world of AI. Through immersive experiences, educational programmes and interactive showcases, AI City will demystify AI, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of its potential across all sectors of society, the state government said.

The planned city will also create a population with AI skills through the University and Experimental Centre for Artificial Intelligence Skills.

On this occasion, the state government also partnered with various companies and institutions to develop various components of the AI ​​City.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said that AI efforts are not new in Telangana as major steps have already been taken in this regard.

“If we think about the future of India, no city is as well-prepared for it as Hyderabad. In our city, we are not only embracing the future, we are also creating it,” he said.

“Today’s AI Summit in Hyderabad is our declaration that we are AI ready. We will create the future of AI and set the standards,” he added.

Information Technology and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu said that while AI City is taking shape, AI-based companies can quickly start operations by partnering with the World Trade Centre in Shamshabad, which will temporarily offer 200,000 sq ft of office space.

The minister said the state government is committed to using AI as part of its efforts to make Telangana a trillion-dollar economy in the near future and a $3 trillion economy in the next decade. He said Telangana has become a technology powerhouse by leveraging the existing IT ecosystem to transform Hyderabad into a leading global hub for deep technology innovation and products.

Sridhar Babu said the AI ​​sector has emerged as a major growth catalyst due to its vast data pool, talented workforce and vibrant startup ecosystem, coupled with the government’s commitment to using AI for social good.

Special Chief Secretary, IT, Jayesh Ranjan said the two-day Global AI Summit is a first of its kind event. Around 150 speakers from across the world will share their knowledge at the summit, which will be held under the central theme of “Making AI Work for Everyone.”

The conference will be attended by around 2,000 delegates, including representatives from corporations, academia, start-ups and government officials. There will be panel discussions on innovation, the future of the world, responsible AI and governance.