Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday announced three Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centres of Excellence (CoEs) on healthcare, agriculture & sustainable cities for a developed India.
The new CoEs in AI led by top Indian higher education institutions in consortium with industry partners and start-ups are set to revolutionize India AI ecosystem. From advancing healthcare to transforming agriculture and building sustainable cities, these CoEs will develop cutting-edge AI solutions that will directly benefit citizens across the world, said Pradhan during the launching ceremony held at New Delhi.
The AI Centre of Excellence in Agriculture led by IIT-Ropar aims to transform farming practices by leveraging data on crop yields, weather, and local conditions. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific insights, it will provide AI-driven, real-time guidance on sowing, harvesting, and crop health. This initiative will not only enhance crop quality and reduce losses but also promote biodiversity and address challenges in animal husbandry.
The AI Centres of Excellence on Healthcare led by IIT-Delhi and AIIMS-New Delhi aims to focus on early disease prediction, diagnostics, and pandemic tracking. It will support trials and data collection for healthcare, including AYUSH medicines while addressing challenges related to affordability, quality, and access. The initiative also aims to foster healthcare innovation by developing technical infrastructure and collaborations.
The AI Centre of Excellence on sustainable cities led by IIT-Kanpur will leverage artificial intelligence for smart city planning, traffic management, and efficient resource distribution. By integrating data from sensors, GIS maps, and satellite feeds, it will predict resource needs and enhance public space design. With shared infrastructure across Agriculture, Health, and Sustainable Cities the CoEs will further optimize costs and resources.
The Government of India has approved Rs. 990 crore from 2023-24 to 2027-28 for establishing 3 AI-COEs led by top educational institutions in consortium with industry partners and startups. In partnership with leading industry players, inter-disciplinary research will be conducted in these centres to develop cutting-edge applications and scalable problem solutions in the areas of agriculture, health, and sustainable cities.