Synopsis
New Delhi, Feb 2 (NationPress) The introduction of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for Artificial Intelligence in education reflects a significant step towards enhancing India's position as a global leader in AI, with a budget allocation of Rs 500 crore announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.Key Takeaways
- Launch of three Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in AI.
- Budget allocation of Rs 500 crore for education in AI.
- Focus on investment in STEM talent.
- Collaboration between educational institutions and industries.
- Potential for innovation in the startup ecosystem.
New Delhi, Feb 2 (NationPress) As artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a vital component for a technology-driven economy, the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) dedicated to AI in education is a promising development, according to industry experts on Sunday.
In line with India's ambition to become a global AI leader, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has unveiled plans for three Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in AI, backed by a budget allocation of Rs 500 crore.
“To elevate India’s position in the international AI competition, it is crucial to focus on investment in STEM talent. We possess the necessary digital infrastructure and a skilled workforce to nurture a vibrant startup ecosystem that can drive innovation,” stated Aparna Iyer, CFO of Wipro Limited.
To maximize this potential, it is essential to provide financial backing and simplify business operations to support the startup community. The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) is expected to catalyze this ecosystem, she added.
Atul Soneja, Chief Operating Officer of Tech Mahindra, remarked that the Budget’s forward-thinking emphasis on deep-tech innovations such as AI, global capability centres (GCCs), and talent prepared for the future reflects a solid commitment towards “Viksit Bharat.”
“Initiatives including the Deeptech Fund of Funds, 10,000 fellowships for technology research, five National CoEs, and a CoE for AI in Education reaffirm our dedication to nurturing a next-generation technology ecosystem,” he observed.
The government has stated that these new AI Centres of Excellence will focus on advanced research, the creation of AI learning resources, and promote collaboration between educational institutions and industries. The objective is to prepare students with the skills necessary for future success.
Chocko Valliappa, Founder and CEO of Vee Technologies, praised the Finance Minister’s initiative to establish a Centre for Excellence in AI for education, emphasizing the need for innovative technologies that enable rapid reskilling of the workforce that may be affected by AI integration across various sectors.
This approach will also foster capacity building in cutting-edge technologies at a significantly reduced cost to the nation in comparison to adding 6,500 more engineering seats in the IITs, as highlighted in the budget speech.
Anjani Kumar, Partner at Deloitte India, stated that the investment in establishing AI CoEs for education is a pivotal move in the government's ongoing mission to utilize AI for societal betterment.
“This investment follows closely after the Rs 990 crore allocation made in October of the previous year for establishing AI CoEs in agriculture, healthcare, and sustainability. Strengthening capacity in these four critical areas offers India the chance to unlock new avenues to solidify its status as a global leader in AI,” Kumar emphasized.
