Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while inaugurating the IBM AI GovTech Innovation Center in Lucknow, said that Uttar Pradesh is working towards becoming a leader in deep tech, AI and quantum computing. AI has brought a big change in health and education.
Lucknow. Yogi Adityanath said that Uttar Pradesh is moving rapidly towards becoming a leader in emerging areas like Deep Tech, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing. He said that with the effective use of technology, governance schemes are being delivered to the last person of the society. The Chief Minister was addressing the people after the inauguration of IBM’s IBM AI GovTech Innovation Center in Lucknow.
Mention of success of Digital India, Ayushman Bharat and DBT
CM Yogi said that under the visionary leadership of Narendra Modi, India is moving towards technology-based overall development. Under Digital India, 140 crore people have got digital identity. More than 50 crore people are getting health facilities under Ayushman Bharat scheme. Through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), people are getting transparent banking facilities and direct benefits of government schemes. He said that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the foundation stone of the state’s first semiconductor unit has been laid in Gautam Buddha Nagar. Recently, at the India AI Impact Summit held in Delhi, global leaders praised India’s digital vision.
MoU between IT department and IBM, thanks to Arvind Krishna
The Chief Minister thanked IBM India CEO Dr. Arvind Krishna and his team for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the IT and Electronics Department and IBM. In his address, Arvind Krishna mentioned his emotional ties with India and Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister said that we are proud that the country’s first computer was installed by IBM in the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. He said that in the last 11 years, India has made significant progress in the field of infrastructure and deep tech.
Center of Excellence for Robotics and Drone Technology in Budget
CM Yogi told that he had the opportunity to attend the Deep Tech conference at IIT Kanpur last year. The state government is also working in the field of medtech. In the recent budget, arrangements have been made for a Center of Excellence for Robotics. Earlier, provision was also made in the budget for drone technology. The government is using technology in every field to benefit the people.
Use of AI in Health Sector: Controlling Encephalitis
The Chief Minister said that better use of technology and AI tools can bring change in the lives of common citizens. For several decades before 2017, thousands of children kept dying due to encephalitis in Uttar Pradesh. It is estimated that more than 50,000 children died. Earlier, correct data about this disease was not collected nor analyzed. But the government collected the data and analyzed it. It was found that where there is lack of pure drinking water and sanitation, disease is more prevalent.
Har Ghar Nal Yojana was effectively implemented under Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission. Today encephalitis has almost been eradicated in Uttar Pradesh and deaths due to it have stopped. This shows that AI and data analysis can make a big difference in the health sector.
AI analysis in education improves drop out rates
Giving the example of education sector, CM Yogi said that earlier it was believed that daughters leave studies due to the school being far away. But analysis using AI tools revealed that the main reason for drop out was lack of toilets. Earlier schools did not have adequate buildings, teachers, furniture and basic facilities. The government made arrangements for separate toilets and drinking water for boys and girls in all schools. The drop out rate in Basic Education Council schools has reached close to zero. This is an example of correct use of technology.
Initiative towards making Lucknow an AI city
The Chief Minister said that the government is developing Lucknow as AI City. This scheme will be implemented rapidly with the cooperation of IBM. He said that Uttar Pradesh also has a strong claim in the field of quantum computing. Initiatives in this direction will be taken in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and Noida Campus. The state government, IIT and IBM will jointly take this project forward.
Two MoUs signed, AI literacy program for students
Two MoUs were signed between IBM and the Government of Uttar Pradesh at the event. Under this, AI based solutions will be developed in various departments. AI literacy program will be launched for students and teachers of classes 6 to 12 in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education. This will provide them with the necessary skills and experience to face future technical challenges. On this occasion, Sandeep Patel, Managing Director of IBM India and South Asia, Prof. Director of IIT Kanpur. Manindra Aggarwal and other senior officers were present.
Arvind Krishna said that AI will increase the efficiency and economic competitiveness of governments. Governments around the world, including India, are now taking steps towards implementing AI beyond experimentation. India’s initiative in adopting Responsible AI is inspiring.