The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has commenced the development of an ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) City’ in Nadarganj, Lucknow, aiming to elevate the state capital into a prominent IT hub, according to a government spokesperson.
Implementation by UPLC: The UP Electronics Corporation Limited (UPLC) is executing a comprehensive action plan for the AI City’s establishment. Expression of interest has been invited from real estate developers under the ‘UP Electronics Manufacturing Policy (UPEMP)’ for city design, development, and operation.
Potential Site: The IT and Electronics department has identified a 40-acre land parcel in Nadarganj, approximately three kilometers from Lucknow international airport, as a prime location for the AI City.
Financial Incentives: Developers will receive financial aid, including one-time capital expenditure support and stamp duty exemption, as per the IT and ITES Policy, 2022. This includes 25% capex support up to INR 20 crore for the IT Park and up to INR 100 crore for the AI City.
Existing Tech Landscape in Lucknow: Lucknow already houses Centers of Excellence in AI and MedTech, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship with support for over 15 AI/ML startups.
Strategic Vision: The UP government aims to achieve a $1 trillion economy in the next five years, identifying IT and ITeS as core sectors for economic propulsion. UP is the sixth-largest state in terms of the IT ecosystem and boasts a significant number of startups in India.
The development of the AI City in Lucknow aligns with UP’s economic goals, leveraging technology and fostering innovation to propel the state’s growth as a key player in the IT sector. Furthermore, a report by Grand View Research estimates the global AI market size at $137 billion in 2022, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 37.3% from 2023 to 2030.
