Srinagar, Sep 24: The Jammu and Kashmir government has initiated the process to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence in the Union Territory, equipped with advanced laboratories, computing infrastructure and incubation facilities, the Legislative Assembly was informed on Thursday.
Replying to a starred question tabled by National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq from Zadibal, the Information Technology Department as per Kashmir Convener said the government is actively promoting AI and other emerging technologies as part of its broader digital transformation and technology-enabled development initiatives.
“The Department has initiated the process for establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence in J&K, equipped with advanced AI laboratory and computing infrastructure, incubation and innovation facilities, and support for research, skilling and development of AI-based solutions,” the reply stated.
The government said a phased and coordinated approach has been adopted for developing an AI ecosystem encompassing technological infrastructure, capacity building, skill development, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and deployment of AI-based solutions across sectors.
The IT Department, being the nodal department for IT and digital initiatives in the UT, is facilitating these efforts in collaboration with MeitY, IIT Jammu, BISAG-N, academic institutions, industry and other stakeholders, it said.
A whole-of-government approach is also being pursued to identify and implement suitable AI use cases in different departments, with emphasis on improving efficiency of government processes, evidence-based decision-making, process optimisation and citizen-centric service delivery, the reply said. The government is also exploring development of IT/ITeS infrastructure and IT parks while leveraging existing institutional facilities such as polytechnics for imparting AI skills.
The government maintained that AI Labs, AI Learning Centres and Centres of Excellence are proposed to be promoted at appropriate institutions and locations in a phased, need-based and resource-specific manner, subject to availability of infrastructure, technical expertise and funds, with emphasis on optimal utilisation of existing facilities and creation of sustainable AI capabilities across the Union Territory.
However, on the specific query regarding Zadibal constituency, the government said no proposal is presently under consideration for setting up an AI Lab or Centre of Excellence there as a pilot project to give youth access to emerging technologies.
“No such proposal is presently under consideration in respect of Zadibal Constituency. However, suitable proposals for AI Labs, AI Learning Centres or similar facilities may be considered in future, as per the overall policy and programme of the Government, subject to feasibility, availability of suitable infrastructure/land and resources etc,” the reply stated.
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