Hyderabad: The Telangana government is gearing up to implement two of its major initiatives in the field of technology and digital empowerment. The government plans to introduce internet as a basic right for its citizens and make it accessible and affordable to all sections of society. The government also aims to position Hyderabad and Telangana as the AI capital of the country by setting up a dedicated AI city in 50-100 acres of land.
These announcements were made by the state governor Tamilisai Soundararajan in her address to the joint session of the state legislative assembly and legislative council on the commencement of the budget session on February 8, 2024. She said that the government will implement a very thorough digital literacy programme to ensure that every household, regardless of its economic status or location, will be able to benefit from the rapid digital adoption of the opportunities that were arising.
She also said that the state government was determined to harness the power of new technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI). “We will position Hyderabad and Telangana as the AI capital of the country by inviting the top global and national technology companies to set up their AI centres. We will set up a dedicated AI city in 50-100 acres,” she said.
The governor said that the AI city will be a hub for innovation and research in various domains of AI, such as healthcare, education, agriculture, security, and governance. She said that the government will provide all the necessary infrastructure and incentives for the AI companies to establish their presence in the state. She also said that the government will collaborate with leading academic institutions and research organisations to develop a skilled workforce and a vibrant ecosystem for AI development.
The governor also outlined the government’s vision for various other sectors, such as industry, energy, tourism, and education. She said that the government will introduce a new industrial policy, a new MSME policy, a comprehensive energy policy, a new tourism policy, and a new education policy to promote the growth and development of the state. She also said that the government will implement the six guarantees for the welfare of the people, of which two have already been fulfilled and two more will be rolled out soon.
The governor’s speech was well received by the ruling Congress party and its allies, who hailed the government’s initiatives as progressive and visionary. The opposition parties, however, criticised the government for making tall promises and failing to deliver on the ground. They also accused the government of neglecting the core issues of farmers, workers, students, and women.
