Digital India Corporation, UPDESCO signs MoU to strengthen the AI ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh under IndiaAI Mission

NEW DELHI: The Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, to foster the Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem in the country has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited (UPDESCO), Lucknow.

Under the IndiaAI Mission, a total of 65 Data and AI Labs are planned to be established across Uttar Pradesh. Of these, two IndiaAI Data and AI Labs at NIELIT Centres located in Lucknow and Gorakhpur are already operational, while one Data and AI Lab have been established by an industry partner at Pilibhit. Further, 49 Data and AI Labs have been approved by the State Government and implementation work has commenced, and 13 additional locations will be identified in due course.

The IndiaAI Data Labs will be equipped with modern AI-ready infrastructure, including computing resources, software platforms, curated datasets, and learning modules specifically designed to support AI skilling and experiential learning. Students will receive hands-on training through real-world use cases, project-based learning, and problem-solving exercises, enabling them to design, develop, and deploy AI-based solutions relevant to practical and industry scenarios.

In addition to technical training, the initiative will emphasize career readiness, innovation, and workforce preparedness by exposing students to emerging job roles, ethical AI practices, and application-oriented learning. The program aims to bridge the existing AI skills gap in the workforce, enhance employability, and create a strong pipeline of AI-ready talent from the State.

This initiative will significantly contribute to promoting digital inclusion, fostering innovation, and supporting the growth of the AI ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh.

The IndiaAI Data Labs initiative plays the crucial role in positioning Uttar Pradesh as a leading hub for AI-driven innovation, technological empowerment, and skilled human capital under the broader vision of Digital India.