TN govt partners with Google; plans to set up Tamil Nadu AI labs
The Tamil Nadu government has inked a deal with Google to explore AI partnerships in the state, while the administration will also set up a new ‘Tamil Nadu AI Labs’ facility. The government on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the tech giant at the company’s Mountain View office in the US, according to a statement by the industries minister. The administration also inked five other deals with companies including Nokia, PayPal and Infinix to set up centres in cities including Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore.
Dr. TRB Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the state government on Saturday signed an MoU with Google, amid Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin’s ongoing visit to the US. The minister also announced that the state government will set up the Tamil Nadu AI Labs facility in Chennai. Meanwhile, Google will collaborate with Guidance, the government’s nodal agency for investments in the state, to bring AI technology to startups, MSMEs and the rural ecosystem.
According to the minister, the partnership with Google will enable the Tamil Nadu government to train 2 million youth in AI technology through the state’s Naan Mudhalvan upskilling platform, while providing mentorship and networking opportunities to startups in the region. SMBs will also be able to use Google Cloud’s AI technology on an open networking marketplace, the company said.
“This partnership underscores our shared commitment to driving inclusive growth and technological advancement through AI. We look forward to working together to build a thriving AI ecosystem in Tamil Nadu — one that not only fuels innovation and creates opportunity, but also equips individuals with the skills they need to succeed in the digital age,” said Amit Zavery, head of Google Cloud Platform, in a prepared statement.
On the first day of the CM’s visit to the US, the government signed six MoUs with various companies to set up facilities in the state, including a Nokia research and development centre in Siruseri, an AI-ML development centre in Chennai to be set up by PayPal, a semiconductor innovation centre in Coimbatore (Microchip, Yield Engineering Systems) and a technology centre by Applied Materials and Infinix in Madurai, the minister said.
