Kerala’s New AI Initiatives: Minister P Rajeev’s Vision for a Knowledge-Based Economy
Kerala’s Minister for Industries, Law, and Coir, P Rajeev, announced on Friday that the state is focusing on knowledge-based industries to strengthen the AI ecosystem. This initiative aims to attract investments and create job opportunities for the youth.
International Generative AI Conclave
The announcement was made during a session on government initiatives to promote AI at the two-day International Generative AI Conclave in Kochi. The event was organized by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KIDSC) in association with IBM.
Government’s Vision
Minister P Rajeev stated, “The government is trying to transform the state into a knowledge society and economy. Kerala is ready to attract investment from all sectors. The aim of the government initiatives is to make the state an investment-friendly state.”
The new industrial policy focuses on 22 priority areas, including AI, blockchain, machine learning, big data analytics, robotics, tourism, and logistics. The government has streamlined the process of issuing licenses to entrepreneurs through K-SWIFT and approved 52 private industrial parks in eight months.
New Initiatives
New initiatives include campus industrial parks and giving grace marks to students. APM Muhammad Haneesh, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department, presented on the AI ecosystem in Kerala, highlighting AI-based solutions in key sectors and the establishment of AI centers to support MSMEs.
Future Goals
Ratan U Khelkar discussed the Kerala IT Forward Strategy, aiming for Kerala to contribute 10% of India’s IT and electronics industry in the next five years. The IT policy will focus on e-governance, smart government, infrastructure development, human resource development, innovation, start-ups, new technologies, and data management.
Additionally, an AI-powered high-capacity data center will be set up at Kerala Digital University, and the Kerala Genome Data Center (KGDC) will connect over 125 life sciences institutions.
