Govt for Gen AI to simplify daily operations: Minister Rajeev
IBM Launches Ecosystem Incubation Center in Kochi Infopark to accelerate local tech innovation and software upskilling
Kochi / July 15, 2025
Kochi, July 15: The Kerala government will explore the possibilities of using artificial intelligence, including GenAI, to simplify the state administration’s day-to-day operations to the benefit of the people, Industries Minister Shri P Rajeeve said today.
“Kerala has a progressive social climate that encourages free thinking and scientific consciousness. So there is great potential for innovation,” he noted, after inaugurating an Ecosystem Incubation Center (EIC) set up by IBM at Infopark in the city.
Emphasising the need for a “clear understanding and consultation” ahead of introducing AI in the government’s daily operations, the Minister said its implementation will not compromise on privacy and data security. “This kind of a change will be very beneficial to the people,” he pointed out, also noting that the IBM campus in Kochi has been one of the fastest-growing in the world.
Shri Rajeeve recalled that the government had prepared a draft proposal called ‘Industry 4.0’ for the introduction of AI in the industrial sector. “We will take a decision on this after receiving the feedback from the industry,” he added at the function in the IT park’s Phase 1 at suburban Kakkanad.
Kerala has 16 colleges having made it to the top 100 colleges in the country. Three universities are in the top 20, the Minister pointed out.
IBM Software Senior Vice President Shri Dinesh Nirmal said Kerala enjoyed an advantage in availability of skill and operational excellence. The state’s transport connectivity is “excellent” compared to other places, he said, noting that the incubation center was started to “fully utilize the excellent IT ecosystem” in Kerala.
Noting that Kochi has been fast emerging as a deep tech hotspot, with the right blend of talent and innovation, Shri Nirmal said the EIC will help deepen IBM is the MNC’s commitment to local collaboration, upskilling and innovation with partners. “By collaborating with organizations such as Kerala Startup Mission, Infopark, Technopark and the academia, we aim to scale the development of impactful software solutions to solve our clients' hybrid cloud and AI needs,” he added.
According to Shri Nirmal, one chief advantage of the EIC is its capacity to enable other companies use IBM's technology to conduct global business operations. “The center will be helpful for early-stage startups, skill development and collaborative innovation. It can also host expert mentoring sessions with top technologists, technical workshops and hackathons, among others. This will help the ecosystem in Kerala,” he revealed.
IBM is planning to prepare a watsonx-Gen AI curriculum in collaboration with universities, Shri Nirmal revealed, pointing out that Kochi has become not only IBM’s software development center but also a partnership center.
Principal Secretary (Industries) Shri APM Mohammed Hanish, KSIDC Managing Director Mir Mohammed Ali, IBM India Vice President Vishal Chahal, Infopark CEO Susanth Kurunthil and representatives of industry associations attended the event.
At the IBM India Software Labs in Lulu Cyber Tower 2, Minister Shri Rajeeve also inaugurated a symposium GenAI and Agentic AI for startups, academia and enterprises.
The EIC has been conceived a strategic space designed to accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across startups, enterprises and academia, while serving as a hub for early-stage ventures, skill-building and co-innovation, thus positioning Kochi as a rising destination for deep tech.
The center envisages offering structured support to Kerala’s innovation ecosystem through a range of initiatives that will serve as a launch-pad for the next generation of innovators. These include quarterly meet-ups with IBM subject matter experts, hands-on mentorship and guidance for developing proof-of-concepts, technical workshops, hackathons and integration with academic curriculum for continuous learning and upskilling.
The facility comes up when Kochi is home to IBM's Software Lab which plays a crucial role in building the company’s AI and automation solutions. The EIC will build upon the Generative AI Innovation Center already established in the lab and will carry forward the momentum from the co-hosted Gen AI Conclave in 2024.
IBM, as a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise, helps clients in more than 175 countries capitalise on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on the MNC’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly.
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