Maharashtra is set to draft its independent Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to position the state as a frontrunner in technological advancements and a major player in the AI sector, according to State Information and Technology Minister Ashish Shelar.
During a meeting held at the Sahyadri Guest House with IT Department officials, Shelar directed authorities to expedite efforts in formulating the policy. The meeting was attended by IT Department Secretary Parrag Jaiin Nainutia, MahaIT Managing Director Jayshree Bhoj, and senior officials from the relevant departments. Shelar emphasised the transformative potential of AI in boosting industries, attracting investments, creating employment opportunities, and solidifying Maharashtra’s leadership in the AI domain, an official statement revealed.
“The age of AI has begun, and Maharashtra must seize this opportunity to lead,” Shelar stated. “By adopting AI, we can drive economic growth, generate jobs for the youth, and strengthen our position in the global AI landscape,” he added.
The central government’s India AI Mission, launched earlier this year with a budget of Rs 10,372 crore, aims to bolster AI capabilities nationwide. According to the official statement, this initiative includes the India AI Datasets Platform, application development programmes, graphic processing units, innovation centres, skill development, and startup support in AI.
Shelar highlighted the importance of aligning Maharashtra’s AI ambitions with the India AI Mission to maintain competitiveness. From January 2025, the central government will commence the collection and aggregation of non-personal datasets to establish a comprehensive database for the India AI Datasets Platform. This platform will provide seamless access to startups, businesses, academic institutions, and researchers to develop AI-driven applications and specialised services.
Maharashtra’s forthcoming AI policy is expected to integrate these national initiatives while addressing state-specific needs. With a clear vision and robust framework, the policy aims to position Maharashtra as a global leader in AI, driving technological innovation and economic growth.
