Latest news with #AIPragya
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
U.P. govt to develop digital workforce, learning centres in panchayats
In a move to modernise rural governance, the Yogi government is set to invest ₹278 crore to develop a digital workforce and establish learning centres across gram panchayats in Uttar Pradesh, a government spokesman said here on Sunday, adding the initiative, being rolled out under the National Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, aims to empower panchayats with digital tools and improve public service delivery in villages. An action plan prepared by the panchayati raj department outlines the creation of district panchayat resource centres and panchayat learning centres, with special focus on capacity building and comprehensive digital training of panchayat personnel. Human resources will be deployed at the state, district and block levels to expedite the rollout of schemes and improve execution. Employees will receive structured training to enhance their efficiency on digital platforms, ensuring last-mile delivery of government benefits. 'The move is in line with the chief minister's directive to bring systemic transformation to rural governance and boost transparency, accountability and responsiveness at the grassroots,' the spokesman said. An official said four-tier committees will monitor implementation: A state advisory committee chaired by the panchayati raj minister, a steering committee led by the chief secretary, an executive committee under the principal secretary and a monitoring committee headed by the director, panchayati raj. The initiative, he claimed, dovetailed with the state's broader digital ambition, including the AI Pragya programme which aims to train 10 lakh people—including panchayat staff—in artificial intelligence tools and applications, taking digital literacy and efficiency even to the village level.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UP to fuel $1 trn journey with digi revolution in governance
1 2 3 4 Lucknow: In a dynamic push to position Uttar Pradesh as the country's next digital powerhouse, the department of IT and Electronics, in association with ET Government, will hold the second edition of the ET Digital UP Conclave on Friday. As part of this, Union minister of state for commerce and Industry and IT and Electronics Jitin Prasada and deputy chief minister UP Brajesh Pathak will come together to brainstorm with sectoral experts and stakeholders on using modern technologies to strengthen governance and secure the state in the realm of the digital future. UP's industries and infrastructure development minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi will also address the conclave. Themed as 'Towards a Digital Future: Empowering Governance through Technology', the conclave is expected to attract over 250 thought leaders from govt, industry, and academia. What makes it significant are two recent developments that underline the state's growing digital ambitions. First, UP rolled out AI Pragya – a unique initiative to train over ten lakh citizens in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity. Second, the Union Cabinet approved a Rs 3,706 crore investment by HCL Group and Foxconn (Hon Hai Technology Group) to establish an OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility in the YEIDA region near the upcoming Jewar Airport. The two milestones are seen as enablers towards the state's larger goal to become a one trillion-dollar economy. In this backdrop, the conclave will see experts dwelling on how digital tools and new-age technologies can reshape governance, boost transparency, and public service delivery while accelerating economic development in the state. The day will see key govt officials and technology leaders, including Alok Kumar, principal secretary planning; Anurag Yadav, principal secretary, IT & Electronics; Dr Hari Om, principal secretary, vocational education & skill development; Dr MKS Sundaram, principal secretary, labour & employment; Dr Pinky Jowel, MD, NHM, UP; Mayur Maheshwari, CEO UPSIDA; Pranjal Yadav, secretary, MSME & export promotion; GS Naveen Kumar, secretary, irrigation and water resources; Neha Jain, special secretary, IT and Electronics and MD of UPDESCO; and Dr Subi Chaturvedi, global senior vice president, InMobi Group.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UP govt kicks off AI Pragya training for joint secys
Lucknow: The AI Pragya initiative, launched by the state govt to equip 10 lakh citizens, including govt employees, with cutting-edge skills in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics and cybersecurity, kicked off with a session for joint secretaries at the department of secretariat administration. Launched formally on May 9, the programme was organised by the UP Centre for E-Governance Society under the IT and Electronics Department and rolled out in the presence of Amit Kumar Ghosh, principal secretary, Secretariat Administration Department. Special secretary, IT and Electronics Department, Neha Jain, said: "The attendee officers were given a one-day training on topics such as insights into real-world applications of AI in everyday life and various industries, familiarity with Chat GPT, proficiency in composing effective ChatGPT prompts, conversion of documents from one language to another using AI tools, co-pilot, digital safety, information security, the importance and need for confidentiality and integrity, cybercrime on individuals like phishing, cyberstalking and harassment, prevention of cybercrime, introduction to malware and its types, and main acts of cybercrime. " Ghosh said: "After gaining knowledge from the training program, govt tasks can be executed efficiently in less time by enhancing work capacity using artificial intelligence. It is also necessary to adhere to govt confidentiality and cybersecurity rules while using AI tools. Artificial intelligence will provide new employment opportunities and prospects in the next five years, which will contribute to the state's goal of a one trillion-dollar economy. "
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
U.P. CM Yogi Adityanath unveils two initiatives with support of World Bank
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday (May 9, 2025) met World Bank President Ajay Banga in Lucknow and launched two initiatives 'UP AGREES' and 'AI Pragya' related to agricultural innovation and digital transformation in the Sate. Expressing gratitude for the World Bank's continuous support, Mr. Adityanath praised the role of the international organisation in helping Uttar Pradesh to move closer to its vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy. 'The entire world sees Uttar Pradesh not as a barrier, but as the growth engine of India. I express my gratitude to the World Bank for its participation in the UP-AGREES project, it will help will farmers in a big way and significantly enhance agricultural output in the state,' said Mr. Adityanath, addressing the meeting at his official residence. The event marked the launch of two programs supported by the World Bank with the UP AGREES initiative pushes for revolutionising agriculture in 28 districts of Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions, enhancing productivity and promoting advanced, technology-based farming. Similarly, the AI Pragya aims to build a robust Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent base by training 10 lakh youth across Uttar Pradesh, equipping them with the digital skills necessary to thrive in emerging technology sectors. The project will be implemented in districts of Basti, Maharajganj, Ballia, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Sant Ravidas Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Bahraich, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharthnagar, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau, Jaunpur, Banda, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Mahoba and Chitrakoot. 'AI Pragya will not only unlock new job avenues for youth but also enhance technological efficiency in core sectors such as government services, farming, education, and healthcare,' said Mr. Adityanath.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
UP govt, World Bank launch tech-driven agri project to ‘benefit 10 lakh farmers'
The Uttar Pradesh government and the World Bank on Friday launched two programmes — one to enhance agricultural productivity in the Purvanchal and Bundelkhand regions with technology-driven farming and the other to usher in digital transformation in the state. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who along with World Bank President Ajay Banga unveiled the 'UP AGREES' (Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening) and 'AI Pragya' projects in Lucknow, hailed the international financial institution's 'consistent support in enabling Uttar Pradesh move closer to its vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy'. 'The world now sees Uttar Pradesh not as an impediment, but as the growth engine of India,' the Chief Minister remarked. Under the UP AGREES project, the state government will get Rs 2,737 crore loan from the World Bank for a period of six years, which will directly benefit farmers, farmer organisations, fishers, and agriculture-based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the government said in a statement. The state government will contribute Rs 1,166 crore to the project, while the loan amount will have to be repaid over 35 years with an interest rate of just 1.23%, it added. The initiative aims to revolutionise agriculture in 28 districts of Purvanchal and Bundelkhand and benefit nearly 10 lakh farmers with 30% participation from women, Adityanath said. The programme, he added, will support farmers and significantly accelerate agricultural output in the state. Also, 10,000 women producer groups will be linked to the project which also includes sending 500 farmers abroad for exposure to best farming technologies to help strengthen small farmers and reduce regional disparities, it is learnt. Under the 'AI Pragya' initiative, the state government aims to train 10 lakh youth in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging digital technologies. The programme will provide certification in key domains like AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity — paving the way for more employment opportunities and a thriving startup ecosystem in the state, the Chief Minister further said. The initiative will be implemented with the support of various state departments, including Education, Health, Agriculture, Rural Development, Revenue, and Secretariat Administration, officials said. It will not only unlock new job avenues for the youth but also enhance technological efficiency in core sectors such as government services, farming, education and healthcare, they added. As part of the programme, global technology giants like Microsoft, Intel, HCL, Wadhwani Foundation, Amazon, Google, and 1M1B will collaborate with the state government to launch upskilling initiatives across the state, the statement read. Speaking at the occasion, the World Bank President claimed there had a remarkable transformation across all sectors in the state. He recognised UP's 'immense potential in tourism, especially in religious, cultural, and eco-tourism'. He pointed out that the state's rich culinary traditions and local crafts have begun gaining global popularity. These unique cultural assets can play a crucial role in further strengthening the state's local economy, Banga added. He applauded the state government's success in promoting the manufacturing sector, especially with its focus on MSMEs.
