India to Launch AI Centers of Excellence in Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities

New Delhi-In a move set to bolster India's artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will announce the launch of three new AI Centres of Excellence (CoE) on October 15th, 2024, in New Delhi. These centers will focus on critical sectors: Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities.

The initiative, announced in the 2023-24 budget, aims to cultivate a robust AI ecosystem within India and develop practical solutions to pressing challenges. The CoEs will be spearheaded by leading educational institutions, collaborating with industry partners and startups.

"To realize the vision of "Viksit Bharat," these three CoEs for Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be led by top educational institutions, in consortium with industry partners and startups," according to a press release from the Press Information Bureau.

The government has allocated Rs. 990.00 crore for the project, spanning from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28. An Apex Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Sridhar Vembu, Founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation, will oversee the implementation of the initiative.

The October 15th event will be attended by key figures including Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary/HE, Directors of IITs, Heads of higher educational institutions (HEIs), industry leaders, start-up founders, and senior officials from various ministries.