Google and Tamil Nadu Government Partner to Explore AI Technology
In a major development, the Tamil Nadu government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Google to explore artificial intelligence (AI) partnerships in the state. The partnership aims to bring AI technology to startups, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and the rural ecosystem.
The MoU was signed on Saturday at Google’s Mountain View office in the US, during Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s ongoing visit to the US. The partnership is expected to enable the Tamil Nadu government to train 2 million youth in AI technology via its Naan Mudhalvan upskilling platform, offering startups mentorship and networking opportunities.
According to the minister, the partnership with Google will also enable MSMEs to use Google Cloud’s AI technology on an open networks marketplace. The company’s Google Cloud Platform Head, Amit Zavery, emphasized the shared commitment to fostering inclusive growth and technological progress through AI.
The partnership is part of the Tamil Nadu government’s efforts to promote AI adoption in the state. To further this goal, the government has established the Tamil Nadu AI Labs facility in Chennai, which will work with Guidance, the government’s nodal agency for investments in the state, to bring AI technology to the region.
In addition to the partnership with Google, the government has signed six other MoUs with firms such as Nokia, PayPal, Infinix, and Applied Materials to set up facilities in the state. These deals include the establishment of a research and development centre by Nokia in Siruseri, an AI-ML development centre in Chennai to be set up by PayPal, a semiconductor innovation centre in Coimbatore, and a tech centre by Applied Materials and Infinix in Madurai.
The partnership is expected to have a significant impact on the state’s economy, driving innovation and creating opportunities for individuals and businesses alike.
