SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has initiated the process to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence in the Union Territory, with facilities for advanced AI laboratories and computing, incubation, innovation, research, skilling and development of AI-based solutions.
The Information Technology Department stated this in its reply to a starred question by Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq regarding the establishment of AI laboratories and Centres of Excellence in Jammu and Kashmir.
The department said the government was pursuing a phased approach to develop an AI ecosystem covering technological infrastructure, capacity building, skill development, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and deployment of AI-based solutions across different sectors.
The Information Technology Department, which is the nodal department for IT and digital initiatives in J&K, is facilitating the initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, IIT Jammu, BISAG-N, academic institutions, industry and other stakeholders.
The government said a whole-of-government approach was also being adopted to identify and implement suitable AI applications across departments. These initiatives are aimed at improving government processes, evidence-based decision-making, process optimisation and citizen-centric service delivery.
The department said the government was also exploring IT and IT-enabled services infrastructure and IT parks in the Union Territory. Existing institutional facilities, including ITIs and polytechnics, are proposed to be leveraged for AI skills training and access to laboratory and learning facilities.
AI laboratories, learning centres and Centres of Excellence are proposed to be developed at suitable institutions and locations in a phased, need-based and resource-specific manner, subject to availability of infrastructure, technical expertise and funds.
The department said the approach would focus on optimal utilisation of existing facilities while developing sustainable AI capabilities across Jammu and Kashmir.
However, there is currently no proposal to establish an AI laboratory or Centre of Excellence in Zadibal constituency, the government said in response to a specific query from MLA Tanvir Sadiq.
It said proposals for such facilities in Zadibal could be considered in future in accordance with the government’s overall policy and programmes, subject to feasibility and availability of suitable infrastructure, land and resources.
