Hyderabad: In a move towards becoming a global AI hub, the Government of Telangana unveiled its ambitious 'AI-Powered Telangana' strategy at the inaugural Global AI Summit in Hyderabad. The state has rolled out a comprehensive plan to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) education in schools, prepare students for AI-driven careers, and encourage AI innovation across industries.

AI Curriculum for Schools

Taking inspiration from leading institutions such as MIT Media Lab and Stanford AI Lab, Telangana will introduce an AI curriculum for students aged 15 to 18, starting from the 2025-26 academic year. This forward-looking initiative will provide foundational AI knowledge, hands-on learning kits, and teacher training. By 2027, the curriculum is expected to reach over 5,000 government schools, empowering 5 lakh students and 20,000 educators across the state.

The initiative, spearheaded by INAI, an Applied AI Research Centre at IIIT Hyderabad, aims to ensure Telangana becomes a leading state in AI education. The curriculum will not only equip students with AI knowledge but also instill an understanding of safe AI practices. "Our goal is to cover 100% of senior secondary schools with AI education by 2027," said a government spokesperson, emphasizing the state's commitment to future-proofing its education system.

AI City: A 200-Acre Hub for Innovation

At the heart of Telangana's AI strategy is the establishment of a 200-acre 'AI City' near Hyderabad. This AI City will serve as a hub for AI research, development, and application, attracting global attention and investments. The state aims to create cutting-edge facilities such as expansive data lakes, high-performance compute resources, and world-class connectivity to support AI innovation.

"This AI City will be the cradle of groundbreaking advancements, solidifying our status as a technological powerhouse," said Duddila Sridhar Babu, Telangana’s IT and Industries Minister. He also announced plans to establish an AI school within the AI City to nurture future talent. In the interim, the state has partnered with the World Trade Centre in Shamshabad to offer 2 lakh square feet of office space for AI-driven companies, ensuring swift commencement of operations while the AI City develops.

26 MoUs to Accelerate AI Superpower Ambitions

To solidify its status as a national AI leader, Telangana has signed 26 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key players across academia, industry, and non-profit organizations. These agreements focus on seven critical areas: Compute Infrastructure, Centres of Excellence, Skilling, Impact Assessment, Startup Innovation, Generative AI, and Data Annotation. These partnerships are crucial for transforming Telangana into a premier AI superpower.

Meta's Strategic Partnership with Telangana

In a major boost to Telangana's AI ambitions, social media giant Meta announced a two-year partnership with the Telangana government to advance AI adoption in public services. The collaboration will focus on deploying Meta’s open-source Generative AI technologies, including the cutting-edge Llama 3.1 model, to enhance e-governance and citizen services.

"AI and e-governance will foster an efficient, accountable, and inclusive future," said Shivnath Thukral, Vice President and Head of Public Policy at Meta India. This partnership aims to create AI-driven solutions that address local needs while promoting innovation. Meta’s Llama ecosystem is growing rapidly, with over 350 million downloads to date, reflecting its global impact.

AI-Powered Telangana: A $3 Trillion Vision

Telangana’s ambitious AI initiatives align with its broader goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy in the near future and a $3 trillion economy within the next decade. The state is strategically positioning itself as a global AI leader, and the establishment of the AI City, alongside key partnerships and investments, reflects its dedication to achieving this vision.

As Chief Minister Revanth Reddy highlighted during the summit, "AI is the best innovation in the world of technology today. While some apprehensions about job losses and the impact of AI exist, Telangana is committed to leveraging AI’s power for economic growth and social good."

Global AI Summit: A Platform for Responsible AI Development

The Global AI Summit, themed “Making AI Work for Everyone,” saw the participation of over 2,000 AI experts, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world. Discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities of AI, with a strong emphasis on responsible development. Renowned figures such as Sal Khan, Head of Khan Academy, Daniela Combe from IBM, and Peter Diamandis from the XPRIZE Foundation shared their insights on the future of AI.

The event marked the official launch of Telangana’s AI roadmap, featuring 25 key programs designed to propel the state’s AI ambitions forward. Research projects, startup demonstrations, and cutting-edge AI technologies were showcased, further cementing Telangana’s position as a global leader in AI innovation. /BI