Kochi: The Kerala government will host a Global Artificial Intelligence Summit in Kochi this year as part of the initiative to make the city the country’s pivotal centre for AI-assisted technology, Industries Minister P Rajeeve said here on Tuesday.
The minister announced after holding discussions with IBM India senior vice president (products) Dinesh Nirmal.
Rajeeve and Industries Department’s principal secretary Suman Billa held talks with IBM India, resulting in an agreement in principle to start the IT giant’s hub in the city.
“By becoming the AI hub of IBM, Kochi will see an influx of top technology professionals from across the globe,” the minister said, noting that the trend will also imply a reverse migration. “This will particularly benefit the new generation in IT. Also, it can double the number of IBM staff vis-à-vis the prevailing total,” Rajeev said.
IBM’s making Kochi its AI hub will prompt other players in the industry to follow. Adding to the prospects will be Infopark’s entering its second stage of expansion, strengthening the facilities for IBM’s initiatives, he said.
The proposed Kochi hub will work based on generative AI, beyond just generic AI. Already IBM is providing AI services to international behemoths such as Boeing. “We are working towards ensuring the participation of Boeing in the upcoming AI Summit,” the minister added.
The IT Parks, Kerala Startup Mission, Digital University and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University will collaborate with the summit. Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) will make presentations on the preparations to make Kochi the country’s principal AI hub.
The decisions emerged at a video conference, which was attended by Keltron CMD N Narayana Moorthy. The discussions also saw the government arriving at a consensus on Samsung launching a centre for semiconductors and chip design.