Kerala unveils slew of sops to promote AI, focused policy on anvil

Minister Rajeeve makes State’s AI Declaration as GenAI meet concludes

Kochi / July 12, 2024

Kochi, July 12: Kerala today unveiled a slew of upfront policy initiatives to promote the state as a global hub of generative artificial intelligence by creating a highly enabling ecosystem reinforced by incentives, supports and partnerships.

Minister for Industries, Law and Coir Shri P Rajeeve made the state’s AI Declaration at the valedictory of the two-day international Gen AI conclave here, laying the road map for the transformative shift that will turn Kerala Industry 4.0 ready with a futuristic ecosystem in place.

A country first initiative, the July 11-12 conclave was organized by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in association with IBM.

Noting that the state has already identified AI as a priority sector in the present Industrial Policy,  Shri Rajeeve said the government will come out with a dedicated AI policy, complying with the ESG goals during this fiscal year itself.

Based on the policy, supports and incentives will be provided to enhance the existing infrastructure and create a more futuristic AI ecosystem.

Taking forward the initiative, an AI Cluster will be established in the state, facilitating to create a cluster- based Industrial Park on a PPP basis in association with technology and knowledge partners. This will serve as a common infrastructure including Graphics Processing Centers, Global Capability Centers and other ecosystem support infrastructure.

Plug and play & incubation facilities will also set up in the State in association with anchor investors.

Identifying the startup ecosystem as a key component in the state’s transformative journey, the declaration said the government will provide financial assistance including share capital to startups in the AI segment.

Preferential share capital investments of up to Rs. 5 crore shall be provided by KSIDC to AI entities with a minimum investment of Rs. 10 crore.

Scale up support of Rs. 1 crore shall be provided along with other incentives notified in the Industrial policy. The state’s fast-growing MSME sector will be further empowered by providing them with AI tools with financial incentives, which will also strengthen the AI entities.

Promoting collaborative efforts in the critical domain, AI based technology groups will be constituted, comprising representatives from AI entities, research institutions, associations and government agencies for ensuring wider stakeholder partnerships.

Adoption of AI in various core sectors such as marine genome sequencing, tourism, healthcare, IT/Ite will also be focused with the support of theTechnology Groups.

 Adoption of AI to strengthen governance will be an important component of the policy.  As part of this, AI be used in various schemes and initiatives of the government  departments and agencies.

 As a first step, the companies in Mission 1000 scheme will be encouraged to adopt AI technologies, and also, the database of Mission 1000 scheme will be analyzed  using AI tools.

 AI tools shall be incorporated into the online mechanism for processing application forms, resolving investor queries, decision making and licensing support by  government agencies.

 As part of measures to strengthen the state’s AI ecosystem ,  partnership will be struck with academic institutions like ASAP, DUK, KTU and CUSAT  to impart skill  training in AI as per the requirement of Industry.

 Initiatives such as AI training for faculty members, startups etc. in the State by IBM, possibilities of participating in international events including ones organized by IBM  for AI students  researchers  from the State  shall be facilitated.

Campaigns will be undertaken to promote investments into the State from companies in the AI sector.

 Ends