Google Joins Hands With Andhra Pradesh To Spur AI Adoption

SUMMARY

The collaboration will primarily focus on integrating AI and machine learning solutions in key sectors such as sustainability and healthcare

Google’s accelerator programmes will foster startups in Andhra Pradesh through mentorship and networking opportunities

Google will offer a certification course in AI and train 10,000 individuals on the use of AI in their daily work and lives to increase productivity and efficiency

Big tech major Google has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the state. 

The collaboration will primarily focus on integrating AI and machine learning (ML) solutions in key sectors such as sustainability and healthcare. 

In a statement, Google said that the partnership will prioritise “digital infrastructure enhancements, AI skills development, and support for the local startup ecosystem”.

Commenting on the collaboration, Google Cloud India’s vice-president and country MD Bikram Singh Bedi said, “… We’re excited to combine Google’s AI expertise with the state’s vision to cultivate an AI-ready workforce, support local startups, and address areas like healthcare and sustainability…”

Below are some of the key focus areas of the MoU: 

Startups In Focus: Google’s accelerator programmes will foster startups in the state through mentorship and networking opportunities. Eligible local AI startups will also get cloud credits, technical training, and business support from Google.

Skill Development: Google will offer a certification course in AI, and will train 10,000 individuals on the use of AI in their daily work and lives to increase productivity and efficiency.

Training Government Personnel: Google Cloud will collaborate with various state agencies to provide skilling programmes to employees in areas like cybersecurity, data analytics, and generative AI (GenAI).

Sustainability: Google will also offer its AI capabilities to address challenges such as air quality, urban planning, and disaster management.

Healthcare: Google will offer access to its Health AI imaging models to explore applications of GenAI in healthcare 

AI Pilot Programmes: The tech giant will partner with the state for a pilot project to integrate use of AI in sectors such as agriculture, traffic management, website modernisation and citizen grievance redressal.

The development comes at a time when Google has been actively partnering with Indian startups and rolling out new programmes to tout its GenAI products. Last month at Google’s AI Startups Summit in Bengaluru, the company announced $200K in Google Cloud credits for select early-stage founders under the Google for Startups Cloud Program. 

At the same event, it also announced collaboration with accelerators and incubators such as 500, StartX, Berkeley Skydeck, among others, to offer guidance and technical workshops to budding AI startups in the country.

India is home to more than 100 GenAI startups that raised more than $600 Mn between 2019 and 2023. As per an Inc42 report, the homegrown GenAI ecosystem is projected to become a $17 Bn market opportunity by 2030.