Under the Independent Business Division – IndiaAI Mission of the Digital India Corporation, functioning under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, a significant step has been taken towards strengthening the Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem in the country. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been exchanged between Digital India Corporation (IndiaAI) and Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited (UPDESCO), Lucknow.

The MoU was exchanged by Shri Anurag Yadav, Principal Secretary, IT & Electronics Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Shri Abhishek Singh, Chief Executive Officer, IndiaAI Mission, marking a significant milestone in collaborative efforts between the State Government and the Government of India.

On this occasion, Shri Anurag Yadav, Principal Secretary, IT & Electronics Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, stated that this is an important initiative under the IndiaAI Mission, which will help equip the youth of the State with future-ready digital skills. He further emphasized that the Government of Uttar Pradesh is continuously working towards leveraging advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence to promote skill development, foster innovation, and create new employment opportunities for the youth.

The Managing Director of UPDESCO, Ms. Neha Jain, informed that for the effective implementation of the IndiaAI Mission in Uttar Pradesh, the Department of IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh has been designated as the nodal administrative department, while Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited (UPDESCO), Lucknow has been nominated as the State Nodal Agency.

Under the IndiaAI Mission, a total of 65 Data and AI Labs are planned to be established across Uttar Pradesh. Of these, two IndiaAI Data and AI Labs at NIELIT Centres located in Lucknow and Gorakhpur are already operational, while one Data and AI Lab have been established by an industry partner at Pilibhit. Further, 49 Data and AI Labs have been approved by the State Government and implementation work has commenced, and 13 additional locations will be identified in due course.

The IndiaAI Data Labs will be equipped with modern AI-ready infrastructure, including computing resources, software platforms, curated datasets, and learning modules specifically designed to support AI skilling and experiential learning. Students will receive hands-on training through real-world use cases, project-based learning, and problem-solving exercises, enabling them to design, develop, and deploy AI-based solutions relevant to practical and industry scenarios.

In addition to technical training, the initiative will emphasize career readiness, innovation, and workforce preparedness by exposing students to emerging job roles, ethical AI practices, and application-oriented learning. The program aims to bridge the existing AI skills gap in the workforce, enhance employability, and create a strong pipeline of AI-ready talent from the State.

This initiative will significantly contribute to promoting digital inclusion, fostering innovation, and supporting the growth of the AI ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh. By aligning education and skilling with future technology requirements, the IndiaAI Data Labs initiative will play a crucial role in positioning Uttar Pradesh as a leading hub for AI-driven innovation, technological empowerment, and skilled human capital under the broader vision of Digital India.

Source: PIB