Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, while inaugurating the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence in GIFT City, stated that this centre will emerge as an important think tank in the field of AI in Gujarat.

The center is a result of an MoU signed in June 2024 between the state government’s Department of Science and Technology and Microsoft. This center will utilize key technologies such as machine learning, cognitive services, and chatbot services. Successful pilot projects in these areas will be rolled out, and various training programs will be organized.

In addition, the Artificial Intelligence Centre will provide comprehensive support to both the government and industry by delivering effective, time-bound services to citizens, promoting grassroots innovation, and accelerating technological advancements in sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, and education.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel noted that the center was commissioned in just seven months. Along with inaugurating the Centre of Excellence, he also launched the Innovation Challenge and presented 10 awards to MSMEs for early adoption of innovative solutions in AI, IoT-led solutions, and startups.

He remarked that new innovations are continuously being added to the country’s first financial tech city, GIFT City. The inauguration of the AI Centre of Excellence is a significant step towards making Gujarat a hub for artificial intelligence and technology-driven development.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the center will act as a crucial bridge between startups and industries, addressing the knowledge gap in the AI technology sector.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that the government has formed the Gujarat AI Task Force to enhance governance by addressing challenges in health, agriculture, education, and industries through AI.

Chief Secretary Rajkumar stated, “Gujarat has become a leading state in adopting AI technology across sectors.” Drawing a parallel with the internet revolution between 1990 and 2000, he noted that AI is now driving innovation, and the state government has laid a strong foundation for “Developed Gujarat for Developed India.”

Rajkumar added that Gujarat is already a manufacturing hub and is poised to become a hub for AI technology. He explained that AI significantly enhances the capacity of governments and organizations, accelerating development. “Gujarat is committed to promoting AI technology across all sectors, including manufacturing, in the near future,” he said.

GIFT City MD and CEO, Tapan Ray, highlighted the vision and infrastructure of GIFT City, stating that many leading companies from India and abroad are conducting business in sectors such as finance, banking, insurance, market research, fintech, aircraft leasing, and AI data centers within GIFT City. The ‘AI Centre of Excellence,’ launched today in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, Government of Gujarat, and global companies in the AI sector, enhances the vision of GIFT City.

Microsoft India and South Asia CEO, Dr. Rohini Srivats, stated that the Innovation Challenge launched alongside the Centre of Excellence aims to provide AI-based real-time solutions to various industry challenges, particularly for startups across the country, including those in Gujarat.

Nasscom Co-Founder and Mastech Chairman, Ashank Desai, remarked that artificial intelligence is not just a technology but a transformative force for the economy. While AI has existed for years, its widespread adoption over the past five to six years has been driven by advancements in computing power and modern software.

At the beginning of the program, Principal Secretary of the Science and Technology Department, Government of Gujarat, Mona Khandhar, welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude to all participants for contributing to the success of the ‘AI Centre of Excellence’ initiative.

The inaugural ceremony featured presentations on topics such as AI-enabled healthcare for patients, quality control of food grains, the future of financial services, and seamless digital payments for smart investment strategies.

The Chief Minister visited the Experience Zone showcasing AI adoption in the health and agriculture sectors. The event also included expert discussions on the use of AI in the digital transformation era, an AI chatbot for the Digital Gujarat platform in the Innovation Spotlight, and the development of an AI ecosystem for startups, industry, and academia. DeshGujarat