MeitY Approves Odisha AI Centre of Excellence; Blue Cloud to Invest INR 4 Crore
MeitY has given an in-principle approval for setting up an Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence (AI-CoE) at Bhubaneswar, Odisha to be executed by STPI. The industry partner will be Blue Cloud Softech Solutions, which is planning to invest INR 4 crore in the center.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has granted in-principle approval for the proposed Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI-CoE) in Bhubaneswar. Thus, laying the groundwork for Odisha to have its own specialised platform for AI-related innovations, startup incubation, and AI solution deployment.
An autonomous society under MeitY, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), will implement the proposed centre. STPI has officially recognised Blue Cloud Softech Solutions of Hyderabad as an AI-CoE industry partner. Additionally, the company has been requested to begin the process of finalising a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Role of Blue Cloud in AI-COE
To help fund the centre's development, Blue Cloud has offered to contribute INR 4 crore under the proposed MoU. In addition to hosting companies, it will offer mentorship, strategic support, and leadership from within the industry. In addition to doing research and development, the AI-CoE's mission includes incubating startups, building capacity, and deploying responsible and scalable AI solutions. Its vision is to serve as a worldwide platform for applied AI innovation.
In the beginning, it will be used in healthcare, government, emergency management, schools, and businesses. The state's focus areas will include oceanography, coastal fisheries, tidal and ocean energy, women and child development, and other areas of geographical and developmental strength. The Bhubaneswar centre could take on a unique position in India's growing artificial intelligence ecosystem if it can integrate general-purpose AI with applications related to the coastal economy and development requirements of Odisha.
Odisha Enhancing its AI Reach with AI-CoE
A total of about 10,000 square feet of built-up area and ancillary infrastructure have been reserved by STPI for the sole purpose of constructing and running the center. Construction of the facility is underway as part of the IndiaAI Mission. A government initiative to establish a comprehensive AI innovation ecosystem and a national AI compute infrastructure. The collaboration will allow Blue Cloud to access the startup ecosystem with its current AI platforms and technological capabilities, as stated by the company.
Startups housed at the Bhubaneswar center will have access to the company's platforms, engineering expertise, and enterprise and government customer network, according to a press release dated 15 September. According to Blue Cloud Softech Solutions' group chairman Tejesh Kumar Kodali, these platforms could facilitate the transition of startups from proof-of-concept creation to enterprise and government large-scale deployment. According to him, Odisha is the ideal location for developing AI for practical use.
State governments and STPI would want to see solutions put into action rather than just study them. This is especially true in the areas of healthcare, disaster management, coastal fisheries, and the ocean economy.The BluHealth app is already part of Blue Cloud's offering. It is a healthcare platform that uses cameras to non-invasively screen vital signs. Blue Cloud also offers Access Genie, its 5G digital infrastructure stack and the public safety and governance apps Blura SAGA and SOCEYE.
