Prime Highlights:
- Google Cloud India and TechBharat Research Foundation have launched India’s first AI Centre of Excellence for Public Good in Visakhapatnam to tackle real-world issues in governance, education, and disaster management.
- The initiative includes the TechBharat AI Fellowship, a national program to train young AI talent, and the introduction of AI Hackathons for Public Good to foster innovation.
Key Facts:
- The Centre will be located in Visakhapatnam, a growing hub for governance and education, and will serve as a collaboration space for experts, students, and government departments.
- The fellowship program will train over 80 fellows and 100 interns annually, with a 120-day on-site course, including stipends and accommodation for participants.
Background
Google Cloud India and TechBharat Research Foundation have opened India’s first AI Centre of Excellence for Public Good in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to help grow the country’s digital and AI ecosystem. The centre is focused on creating artificial intelligence to address real-world issues in governance, education, disaster management, and citizen services.
The initiative facilitates the IndiaAI Mission and aims at digitalizing the public infrastructure of the country through AI. Located in Visakhapatnam’s growing governance and education hub, the centre will act as a space where experts, students, and government departments can work together on projects that directly benefit citizens.
A key part of this project is the TechBharat AI Fellowship, a national training program designed to build young AI talent. The fellowship will run three times a year and train more than 80 fellows and 100 interns annually through a 120-day on-site course. The participants will be given stipends and accommodation as they work on AI projects in government departments.
Fellows will also take part in AI Hackathons for Public Good, beginning in late 2025. These events will encourage innovation and teamwork to solve public problems. Google Cloud will provide cloud services, mentorship, and expert guidance through its “Google for Startups Cloud Program.”
Sridhar Gadhi, Founder of TechBharat Foundation, said the collaboration shows India’s readiness to lead in ethical and public-impact AI. Ashish Wattal, Director of Public Sector at Google Cloud India, said the initiative would help build scalable AI solutions for government use.
The initial group of fellows will begin in October 2025, and they will work on projects in disaster management, education, and real-time governance. The next batch will contribute to the spread of responsible AI in the Indian public systems.
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