The Gujarat government has plans to establish an AI school and AI Centre of Excellence. The announcement was made on February 8 as the state rolled out its Information Technology & Information Technology-enabled Services (IT & ITeS) policy, 2022-2027.

The Gujarat AI School or the Gujarat AI Centre of Excellence will be set up in association with the IT industry, IITs, IIITs and other renowned national and international research institutions. The main focus of the institution will be to add momentum to the State Government’s upskilling efforts by offering courses in emerging technologies such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Big Data, Internet of Things, Data Enablement technologies, Cyber Security and the upcoming 5G technology.

Gujarat’s annual exports in the IT & ITeS sector are expected to rise to Rs 25,000 crore from Rs 3,000 crore in the next five years.

Gujarat aims to be among the top five states in India as far as the IT & ITeS industry is concerned, said Vijay Nehra, Gujarat’s secretary to the department of science & technology (DST). The new policy offers an employment generation incentive (EGI) of up to Rs 60,000 per employee, up to 100% reimbursement of employer’s EPF contribution through Atmanirbhar Gujarat Rojgar Sahay, assistance for interest repayment on term loan up to Rs 5 crore and 100% reimbursement of electricity duty to all eligible IT and ITeS units, said Nehra. 

The new IT/ITeS policy would also encourage cloud infrastructure, cable landing stations and co-working facilities, Nehra added.