Key Points
- Three AI centres to be set up in Lucknow and Kanpur with ₹150 crore investment
- MeitY and UP government share 80 per cent funding with industry partners contributing 20 per cent
- Google, Microsoft, TCS, HCL, EY and Nasscom named as industry partners
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Uttar Pradesh government will establish three artificial intelligence centres of excellence in the state with a combined investment of ₹150 crore under the IndiaAI Mission, officials announced on Saturday (27 June).
The AI centres will come up at APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) in Lucknow, Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) in Kanpur and the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Lucknow. Each centre will receive ₹50 crore in funding.
Under the funding arrangement, MeitY and the UP government will each contribute 40 per cent of the cost, with the remaining 20 per cent coming from industry and academic partners. Google, Microsoft, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL, EY and Nasscom have been named as industry partners for the initiative.
What the AI Centres Will Offer
The centres will function as hubs connecting universities, startups and companies to develop AI applications for government services and economic use. They will provide access to computing infrastructure and datasets required for AI research and product development.
Officials said the facilities will also house Data and AI Labs — training facilities where students and professionals can learn to work with AI systems and large datasets. The centres will offer certification courses in AI and related technologies.
A key objective is to help startups move from concept to viable product. The centres will provide mentorship, infrastructure and connections to potential users in government and industry.
The AI centres will prioritise developing AI tools for government departments. Officials said these could improve efficiency and responsiveness in public services, though specific applications were not detailed.
The IndiaAI Mission is the Centre’s flagship programme to build AI capabilities across the country. It aims to create infrastructure, develop talent and support AI applications in priority sectors. The three UP centres are among several such facilities being established under the mission across states.
By the numbers
- ₹150 crore
- Total investment across three AI centres
- ₹50 crore
- Funding per AI centre of excellence
- $1 trillion
- UP's economy target by 2029-30
The announcement comes as state governments increasingly compete to position themselves as AI and technology hubs, with investments in research infrastructure and startup support seen as essential to attracting companies and skilled workers.
Your Questions, Answered
Where will the three AI centres of excellence be located?
The centres will be established at APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) in Lucknow, Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) in Kanpur and the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Lucknow.
How much funding will each AI centre receive?
Each centre will receive ₹50 crore, for a total investment of ₹150 crore. MeitY and the UP government will each contribute 40 per cent, with industry and academic partners providing the remaining 20 per cent.
Which companies are partners in the AI centres initiative?
Google, Microsoft, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL, EY and Nasscom have been named as industry partners for the initiative.
What is the IndiaAI Mission?
The IndiaAI Mission is the Centre's flagship programme to build AI capabilities across India. It focuses on creating infrastructure, developing talent and supporting AI applications in priority sectors through centres of excellence and other initiatives.
