Telangana’s IT Minister, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, announced plans to transform Hyderabad into India’s AI capital by creating a dedicated AI city on 200 acres. The project, set to begin in September, will focus on industries such as agriculture and healthcare.
Duddilla Sridhar Babu revealed that the state government aims to make Hyderabad India’s first and largest Artificial Intelligence city, or “AI capital of India.”
“Hyderabad has been known as a top information technology hub in the country. Now, we want to promote it as the AI capital of India,” Babu stated.
The government has already identified 200 acres of land on the city’s outskirts for the project. Activity on the AI city is planned to kick off in September. The proposed AI City will target industries where AI technology is essential, including agriculture, healthcare, education, law enforcement, and mobility.
As a precursor, the Telangana government will host a Global AI Summit at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre on September 5 and 6. The summit, themed “Making AI Work for Everyone,” aims to explore the societal benefits and empowerment potential of Artificial Intelligence.
The event will feature keynote addresses and thought-provoking sessions by global AI experts, technology leaders, policymakers, and academicians. Over 50 speakers and 2,000 delegates from various sectors will participate in the discussions.
Sridhar Babu added that the government has collaborated with industry, academia, start-ups, and policy advisors to co-design an AI framework document. This document aims to support the ideation, development, and responsible deployment of Artificial Intelligence for social impact.
Social Media Reaction
Internet users have mixed reactions to the news. Some view it as a visionary move, while others see it as a gimmick.
One user wrote, “Telangana aims to transform Hyderabad into India’s AI capital by creating a dedicated AI city. This move seeks to attract top AI companies and foster a thriving AI ecosystem, building upon the state’s existing IT prowess.”
Another user commented, “These overrated projects might seem charming, but in reality, they are not. At a time like this, Hyderabad does not need an AI city. The money could be better spent on enhancing the current city’s infrastructure, such as solving massive traffic jams.”
A third user replied, “What is this AI city concept? I hope it is not just a gimmick and isn’t just masking a smart city under a new name.”