A tender for the “Design, Development and Operation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) City” in Lucknow has been released by the Uttar Pradesh Electronics Corporation Limited (UPECL), a nodal organization for the State government’s Department of IT & Electronics. Real estate developers are invited to submit their proposals. The State government envisions Lucknow as an AI metropolis to advance AI research and development, given the rise in tech companies and start-ups as well as the influx of IT specialists in the area.
The RFP further emphasizes that Lucknow is home to Centers of Excellence (CoE) in fields like Med Tech and AI, and that IIIT Lucknow’s AI CoE has assisted over 15 companies in the field of AI/ML. The Indian government intends to establish three Centers of Excellence (CoEs) with a specific focus on interdisciplinary AI research as well as the creation and application of domestic AI technology across a range of industries.
Why is this relevant? In response to a parliamentary question on December 6, Minister of State (MoS) for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar wrote that several federal and state government departments and agencies have started working to standardize responsible AI development and address ethical concerns related to the adoption of AI technology. Following the global trend, the Indian government has been showing more interest in adopting AI for governance-related facilities across sectors, as have State governments. Will this actually help the public and cut through the hype? We’ll find out in time. Until then, it’s critical to monitor public funds used by governments to support and advance AI technology.
What plans does the UP administration have?
To create, manage, and run the AI city, the UPECL is seeking real estate developers with experience in IT park and IT city development. The Department of IT & Electronics has already selected possible land parcels for the establishment of the AI City across notable areas in Lucknow, as indicated in the tender.
For the project, 40 acres of land at a “prime location” in the Nadarganj Industrial Area will be provided by the State government. Additionally, it would offer financial help through “attractive financial incentives, such as one-time CAPEX support of 25% upto INR 20 Crores for IT Park and INR 100 Crores for IT City,” and assist the developer with “land acquisition, zoning regulations, and other relevant clearances.”
The real estate developer will be in charge of the following AI-focused needs, among other things that make up an IT city:
Drafting the AI city’s master plan,
Offering the city an operational model,
Establishing an area specifically designated for AI testing and prototyping facilities, in addition to research centers and elite technology educational establishments,
Creating intelligent buildings with AI-powered lighting, energy management, and climate control technologies,
Running and maintaining the infrastructure of AI City and its allies,
Designate or develop land for the construction of data centers and other technological infrastructure.
Draw major investors to the AI and technology sectors.
