AP optimizing data, AI for enhanced governance, economic growth
Minister of Human Resources, IT Nara Lokesh with UAE Finance Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Minister of Industries TG Bharat on the sidelines of Investopia Andhra Pradesh-2025 in Vijayawada on Wednesday.
During a discussion on AI and data centers, Minister Lokesh highlighted some of the key tech initiatives of the coalition government. "The first 152-bit quantum computer in South Asia is set to be unveiled in Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, in January. This will transform the entire ecosystem," he declared. He observed that Visakhapatnam was rapidly developing into a 'data city', with several renowned international organizations expressing interest in establishing their data centers in the port city.
Acknowledging the challenges of transforming well-entrenched education systems to embrace advanced technologies like AI, Minister Lokesh outlined significant curriculum changes. "In line with global advancements, we are introducing AI skill development programmes in polytechnic, degree, and engineering education. We are bringing radical changes to the curriculum with subjects like AI and quantum computing," he mentioned.
The Minister emphasised the state government's goal to provide improved public services through the integration of AI in daily administration. "During my 'Pada Yatra' (foot march), I personally witnessed the difficulties people faced in accessing basic land records. After our government came to power, we focused on delivering easier citizen services through AI," he said. In the context, he cited 'Mana mitra', a WhatsApp governance initiative, which now provides over 600 types of citizen services rapidly by integrating various government departments through a large back-end data lake.
Andhra Pradesh is looking to the UAE as a role model in adopting AI technology. "The United Arab Emirates was the first country in the world to establish a Ministry of AI," Minister Lokesh noted, adding that the UAE utilized AI for traffic regulation too.
Addressing concerns over job displacement due to AI, he stated, "I do not agree with the argument that some jobs will be lost due to Artificial Intelligence. I believe every industrial revolution creates new jobs."
According to Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh is poised to become a $2.4 trillion economy in the coming days. "As part of G2G collaboration, we aim at strengthening digital economy through mutual cooperation between the UAE and Andhra Pradesh," he said. Minister Lokesh affirmed that they would explore ways to drive economic growth through AI, data centers, digital innovations, and smart governance. Lokesh identified ChatGPT as his favorite AI application.
The event was attended by Manu Jain, CEO of G42 India, and hosted by Raksha Shraddha, Vice President of Primus Partners. Minister Lokesh also held discussions with the UAE Finance Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri regarding investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, digital governance, AI-first universities, genome sequencing, quantum valley, and logistics sectors. He sought support from the UAE for investments in these areas. In response, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri invited Minister Lokesh to visit the UAE.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
24 minutes ago
- Hans India
Nara Lokesh wishes on National Handloom Day, announces free power upto 200 units
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh hailed the handloom sector as a symbol of India's rich cultural heritage, highlighting its global reputation and its vital role in providing employment second only to agriculture. Marking National Handloom Day, the Minister announced a series of welfare measures aimed at supporting handloom workers. From today, families of handloom workers will receive 200 units of free electricity per month, while spinning looms will be eligible for up to 500 units. In addition, the government will bear the burden of GST on handloom fabrics to ease the financial strain on artisans. 'The coalition government stands firmly with the weavers,' said Mr Lokesh, as he extended his wishes to all handloom artisans across the state.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Govt may fine carmakers missing fuel efficiency targets under new rules
The government reportedly plans to fine carmakers that do not meet fuel efficiency rules; Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will check compliance Rimjhim Singh New Delhi The government has reportedly introduced draft rules to penalise carmakers that fail to meet India's fuel efficiency and emissions targets. The move aims to close a legal gap despite the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 already allowing for penalties. According to a report by The Economic Times, the Ministry of Power has released the Energy Conservation (Compliance Enforcement) Rules, 2025. The draft grants authority to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to track compliance with Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms and forward violations to state electricity regulatory commissions (SERCs) for penalty decisions. Why it matters India's automotive sector is under rising scrutiny to cut emissions. Eight major carmakers reportedly breached fuel consumption and emission limits in 2022-23, which could lead to ₹7,300 crore in fines. The new draft rules would formalise enforcement and help route penalties into the Central Energy Conservation Fund (CECF), with up to 90 per cent allocated to states based on local sales. Carmakers push back Auto companies, however, argue that the stricter fuel efficiency norms came into effect only on January 1, 2023, and that the current enforcement drive unfairly includes vehicles sold earlier in the 2022–23 financial year. Kia, Renault, and Mahindra & Mahindra are among the companies identified by government data for exceeding the prescribed threshold of 4.78 litres per 100 km and 113 grams of carbon dioxide per km. BEE's new powers under the draft rules If finalised, the rules will empower BEE to: • Monitor fuel efficiency compliance of each car model • Evaluate the degree of violations • Forward cases to relevant SERCs for penalty decisions • Deposit fines into the CECF Cleaner supply chains could cut emissions by 87% A recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) found that India's auto industry could slash emissions by up to 87 per cent by 2050 through the use of green electricity and low-carbon steel. Major manufacturers such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, TVS Motors, and BMW are already aligned with international climate frameworks like the Science-Based Targets initiative. The report found that 83 per cent of the sector's emissions stem from upstream processes like steel and rubber manufacturing. Small alliances could unlock $66 bn annually for climate action Another international study from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) showed that a group of fossil fuel-importing countries could raise $66 billion every year to support climate efforts in developing nations, news agency PTI reported. This could be achieved without extra cost to consumers by imposing joint taxes on fossil fuel imports. If extended to cover emissions from global shipping and aviation, the annual fund could grow to $200 billion.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Foolproof plan to check air pollution suggested
Eluru: District collector K Vetriselvi has instructed officials to implement a robust plan to control air pollution in Eluru city. A meeting of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) District Implementation Committee was held at the Collectorate under the chairmanship of the collector with officials from the Pollution Control Board, Municipal Corporation, Transport, Police, Forest, Industries and others on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, the collector said that all steps should be taken to provide clean air and a good environment to the residents of Eluru city. She said that as per the orders of the National Green Tribunal, the Central Pollution Control Board has ordered to take planned steps to control pollution in the cities with air pollution in the country. An amount of Rs 6.77 crore has been released in advance by the Central Environment Ministry to take air pollution control measures in the city. The Finance Department has sanctioned funds. The Collector ordered the Municipal Corporation and Police Departments to review the 2024-2025 works in the city and complete them quickly. The works to be undertaken in the city under the Clean Air Programme were reviewed. The measures to be taken to provide clean air to the people of the city were discussed in the meeting. She said that steps should be taken to reduce the air pollution level by 20 to 80 per cent and improve the air quality. She wanted the Social Forest officials to take action on plantation and gardening in Shantinagar, Collector's Office and Court areas of the city. She wanted to develop a park and grow plants on the Krishna Canal bund from the jute mill. White wet mapping should be done at the goods shed, Eluru railway shed junctions and road junctions. Details were learned about the distribution of cooking gas through pipelines in the city. She ordered officials to inspect the private bunks in the city and test the quality of petrol and diesel. As per the instructions of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Central and State Pollution Control Boards, Andhra University Environmental Engineering Professor S Balaprasad explained the reasons for the increase in air pollution in Eluru city and the steps to be taken to control it. He suggested that green vehicles should be introduced in the municipal corporation and that the transport department officials should take steps to make battery vehicles available to the public. Pollution Control Board Environmental Engineer K Venkateswara Rao, Eluru Municipal Corporation Commissioner A Bhanupratap, District Industries Officer Subrahmanyeswara Rao, ZP CEO M Srihari, CPCB Consultant Komali, along with officials from transport, police, agriculture, civil supplies, forest and other departments participated in the meeting.
