Last Updated:November 09, 2024, 16:48 IST
Maharashtra is not only riding the AI wave but is actively shaping the direction of AI-driven governance, industry, and social development
The transformative power of AI is undisputed—it has the potential to boost productivity, simplify and automate tasks, enhance prosperity, and elevate governance.
The transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undisputed—it has the potential to boost productivity, simplify and automate tasks, enhance prosperity, and elevate governance. Its potential to reshape our future is undeniable. However, making technology truly impactful in our complex administrative landscape calls for long-term vision, resolute focus, and strong and determined leadership.
Maharashtra has positioned itself as a trailblazer in AI, establishing a framework that taps into the transformative power of technology to advance public safety, improve governance, boost economic growth, and empower citizens. With a future-focused agenda, the state has rolled out several initiatives across sectors, from law enforcement and cybersecurity to industry partnerships and technical education.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has led this charge, spearheading initiatives to establish Maharashtra as a model state for the AI-driven economy.
MARVEL: AI in Law Enforcement
One of Maharashtra’s most impactful AI-driven initiatives is MARVEL (Maharashtra Research and Vigilance for Enhanced Law Enforcement). MARVEL leverages AI to enhance crime prediction, optimise intelligence gathering, and streamline law enforcement operations. It supports law enforcement in analysing large volumes of data to identify patterns, helping law enforcement teams to better predict and respond to criminal activity. This initiative highlights Maharashtra’s commitment to institutionalising AI in governance, creating a dedicated government unit specifically for MARVEL.
The Maharashtra Cyber Security Project, recently launched in Navi Mumbai, complements this initiative by establishing robust defences against cybercrimes and protecting citizens from online threats.
Devendra Fadnavis, who is also in charge of the Home Department, has ensured that these projects don’t just represent ambitious goals but form an essential part of Maharashtra’s governance model, illustrating the state’s proactive approach to public safety through AI.
Building an AI-Ready Workforce: Centres of Excellence and Skill Development
AI is only as powerful as the workforce driving it, and Maharashtra has invested in AI education and upskilling to build a talent pool that can fuel its AI ambitions. A recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) has led to the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for advanced fields like AI, IoT, Robotics, and 3D Printing. Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), these CoEs bring together academia, industry, and government, bridging the skills gap in Maharashtra’s technical workforce.
In 2018, the University of Mumbai partnered with the Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence to create an AI and data science ecosystem, marking a milestone in academic collaboration. More recently, the University of Birmingham joined hands with the Maharashtra government in February 2024 to set up a specialised hub for AI research. This facility focuses on practical AI applications in agriculture and healthcare—two priority sectors for the state.
Adding to these efforts is Universal AI University in Karjat, on the outskirts of Mumbai. This first-of-its-kind private AI university aims to provide comprehensive training for multidisciplinary AI applications, ensuring Maharashtra has a workforce equipped for the evolving demands of an AI-driven economy.
Industry Partnerships: Expanding AI’s Reach in Key Sectors
Recognising the power of collaboration, Maharashtra has forged partnerships with major industry players to expand AI’s reach across sectors. Earlier this year, Devendra Fadnavis signed an MoU with Google to bring AI into agriculture, healthcare, and education. The partnership will also establish an AI Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Nagpur, laying the foundation for an “AI for Maharashtra” strategy to empower citizens and create a thriving ecosystem of innovation.
The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a collaboration with the World Economic Forum and Reliance Industries, launched in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is headquartered in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. This collaboration is part of the vision that Fadnavis has championed, positioning Maharashtra as a hub for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Maharashtra is also using AI for conservation efforts: the Pench Tiger Reserve has deployed AI for early detection of forest fires. The project has been successfully implemented through a joint collaboration between Pench Tiger Reserve, Satpuda Foundation, Umgrameio (Brazil) and Forest Fire Tech, a division of Scaale Inc., USA. Part of the project was funded by Solar Industries India Ltd, Nagpur and the rest by the Maharashtra government.
These partnerships not only enhance Maharashtra’s capability to leverage AI in strategic sectors but also foster an ecosystem where the government, private sector, and civil society can collaborate to address complex challenges.
Atmanirbharta in AI: Building Self-Reliance in the AI Ecosystem
A central tenet of Maharashtra’s AI strategy is Atmanirbharta (self-reliance). Maharashtra is committed to building self-sufficiency across the AI value chain, ensuring that the state controls critical parts of its AI infrastructure. Mega Networks, a hardware manufacturer, has chosen Maharashtra as the hub for AI server production and is one of two Indian firms chosen for the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme 2.0 for IT hardware. This move supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, aligning with the national goal of reducing dependency on foreign technologies and strengthening domestic supply chains.
By focusing on indigenous capabilities, Maharashtra is laying a foundation for long-term sustainability in AI. This focus on local manufacturing and self-reliance will ensure that Maharashtra has the infrastructure to meet its AI needs, furthering its goal of becoming an AI hub not only for India but also potentially for global markets.
AI for Economic Growth
Maharashtra has taken steps to foster a diverse AI ecosystem through leveraging initiatives like the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme, launched by the Prime Minister in 2018, which aims to foster innovation & technology development in defence and aerospace by engaging innovators and entrepreneurs to deliver technologically advanced solutions for modernising the Indian military.
Maharashtra’s MSMEs are increasingly becoming integral to the defence supply chain and AI is a big part of this transformation. Industry-academia partnerships are driving research and development in AI, bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical applications. This approach ensures that Maharashtra’s AI ecosystem is not only innovative but also accessible, benefiting a wide range of industries and startups.
Fadnavis has made it a priority to boost AI adoption in small businesses, recognising the transformative potential AI holds for MSMEs. By integrating AI into defence and encouraging MSMEs to participate in the supply chain, Maharashtra is creating a model where AI isn’t restricted to big corporations but is democratised for all.
The positive impacts of Maharashtra’s AI push are already becoming evident. AI is reducing the state’s import dependency by building a robust domestic supply chain, particularly in defence and technology. AI-driven manufacturing initiatives are generating jobs and upskilling the workforce, creating new opportunities for Maharashtra’s youth.
Conclusion: Maharashtra’s AI Future
Maharashtra is not only riding the AI wave but is actively shaping the direction of AI-driven governance, industry, and social development. From positioning itself as a leader in AI innovation to creating an environment where AI can positively impact all levels of society, Maharashtra’s journey into the AI frontier is a model for other states to emulate.
Devendra Fadnavis’s vision appears clear: lead Maharashtra into an era where technology fuels economic growth, enhances the quality of life, and contributes to a globally competitive and self-sustaining AI economy. As Maharashtra continues on this path, it is carving out a legacy that will make it an AI leader in India and set a benchmark for how states can leverage technology for inclusive and sustainable development.
The author is an angel investor and startup mentor for the Atal Innovation Mission, Government of India, and the Atal Incubation Centre-Rambhau Mhalgi Prabhodhini. He is presently the Convenor (Western Maharashtra) of the BJP Intellectual Cell. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.