Kochi, Kerala on Friday unveiled a series of initial policy initiatives to promote the state as a global generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) hub by creating a highly enabling ecosystem bolstered by incentives, support and partnerships.
Minister for Industries and Law P. Rajeeve here made the State Statement on AI at the valedictory of the two-day international Gen AI conclave, laying out the roadmap for transformative change.
The July 11-12 conclave was a first-of-its-kind initiative organized by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in association with technology giant IBM.
Noting that the state has already identified AI as a priority sector in the current industrial policy, Rajeeve said the government will come up with a dedicated AI policy, meeting ESG (environmental, social and governance) objectives during this fiscal year.
Based on the policy, support and incentives will be provided to improve existing infrastructure and create a more futuristic AI ecosystem.
To take forward the initiative, an AI cluster will be established in the state, facilitating the creation of a cluster-based industrial park in a public-private partnership in association with technology and knowledge partners.
This will serve as common infrastructure, including graphics processing centers, global capacity centers and other ecosystem support infrastructure, according to an official statement here.
Plug-and-play and incubation facilities will also be set up in the state in association with anchor investors, he said.
Identifying the startup ecosystem as a key component in the state's transformative journey, the statement said the government will provide financial assistance, including equity capital, to startups in the AI segment.
KSIDC will provide preferential equity investments of up to Rs 5 crore to AI entities with a minimum investment of Rs 10 crore, he added.
An expansion support of Rs 1 crore will be provided along with other incentives notified in the industrial policy. The state's fast-growing MSME sector will be further strengthened by providing them with AI tools and financial incentives, which will also strengthen AI entities, the statement said.
To promote collaborative efforts in the critical domain, AI-based technology groups, composed of representatives from AI entities, research institutions, associations and government agencies, will be constituted to ensure broader partnerships among stakeholders.
AI adoption in various core sectors such as marine genome sequencing, tourism, healthcare and IT/ITeS will also be focused with the support of technology clusters.
Adopting AI to strengthen governance will be an important component of the policy. As part of this, AI will be used in various schemes and initiatives of government departments and agencies.
As a first step, companies in the Mission 1000 scheme will be encouraged to adopt artificial intelligence technologies. The Mission 1000 scheme database will be analyzed using artificial intelligence tools.
Artificial intelligence tools will be incorporated into the online mechanism for processing application forms, resolving investor queries, making decisions and providing licensing support by government agencies, the statement added.
Meanwhile, buoyed by the phenomenal response to the GenAI Conclave, Kerala will host a two-day Global Investors Meet next year to promote investments by companies in the AI sector, Rajeeve said.
The minister revealed a series of ambitious plans by the Industries Department to improve the ecosystem in Kerala by attracting investments.
The Global Investors Meet is planned in Kochi on January 14-15, 2025, he said.
Minister for Industries and Law P. Rajeeve here made the State Statement on AI at the valedictory of the two-day international Gen AI conclave, laying out the roadmap for transformative change.
The July 11-12 conclave was a first-of-its-kind initiative organized by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in association with technology giant IBM.
Noting that the state has already identified AI as a priority sector in the current industrial policy, Rajeeve said the government will come up with a dedicated AI policy, meeting ESG (environmental, social and governance) objectives during this fiscal year.
Based on the policy, support and incentives will be provided to improve existing infrastructure and create a more futuristic AI ecosystem.
To take forward the initiative, an AI cluster will be established in the state, facilitating the creation of a cluster-based industrial park in a public-private partnership in association with technology and knowledge partners.
This will serve as common infrastructure, including graphics processing centers, global capacity centers and other ecosystem support infrastructure, according to an official statement here.
Plug-and-play and incubation facilities will also be set up in the state in association with anchor investors, he said.
Identifying the startup ecosystem as a key component in the state's transformative journey, the statement said the government will provide financial assistance, including equity capital, to startups in the AI segment.
KSIDC will provide preferential equity investments of up to Rs 5 crore to AI entities with a minimum investment of Rs 10 crore, he added.
An expansion support of Rs 1 crore will be provided along with other incentives notified in the industrial policy. The state's fast-growing MSME sector will be further strengthened by providing them with AI tools and financial incentives, which will also strengthen AI entities, the statement said.
To promote collaborative efforts in the critical domain, AI-based technology groups, composed of representatives from AI entities, research institutions, associations and government agencies, will be constituted to ensure broader partnerships among stakeholders.
AI adoption in various core sectors such as marine genome sequencing, tourism, healthcare and IT/ITeS will also be focused with the support of technology clusters.
Adopting AI to strengthen governance will be an important component of the policy. As part of this, AI will be used in various schemes and initiatives of government departments and agencies.
As a first step, companies in the Mission 1000 scheme will be encouraged to adopt artificial intelligence technologies. The Mission 1000 scheme database will be analyzed using artificial intelligence tools.
Artificial intelligence tools will be incorporated into the online mechanism for processing application forms, resolving investor queries, making decisions and providing licensing support by government agencies, the statement added.
Meanwhile, buoyed by the phenomenal response to the GenAI Conclave, Kerala will host a two-day Global Investors Meet next year to promote investments by companies in the AI sector, Rajeeve said.
The minister revealed a series of ambitious plans by the Industries Department to improve the ecosystem in Kerala by attracting investments.
The Global Investors Meet is planned in Kochi on January 14-15, 2025, he said.
