The Uttar Pradesh Electronics Corporation Limited (UPECL), designated as the nodal agency for the Department of IT & Electronics by the State government, has released a tender calling for real estate developers interested in undertaking the "Design, Development, and Operation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) City" in Lucknow. In light of the expanding tech industry and the rise of startups, coupled with an increased presence of IT professionals in the city, the State government envisions Lucknow as an AI city aimed at fostering research and development in the field of Artificial Intelligence.

Additionally, the tender underscores that Lucknow is home to Centers of Excellence (CoE) specializing in fields such as AI and Med Tech. The AI CoE at IIIT Lucknow provides support to over 15 startups in the AI/ML domain. The Indian government has intentions to establish three CoEs dedicated to multidisciplinary AI research and the advancement and integration of homegrown AI technologies across diverse sectors.

On December 6, responding to a parliamentary inquiry, Minister of State (MoS) for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar conveyed that both central and state government entities have initiated efforts to standardize the responsible development of AI and address ethical considerations linked to its implementation. In alignment with global trends, the Indian government, in collaboration with state counterparts, has demonstrated a heightened interest in leveraging AI for governance-related functions across various sectors. Whether this translates into tangible benefits for the public remains to be seen, and only time will unveil the actual impact. Meanwhile, it is crucial to monitor the allocation of public funds invested in supporting and advancing AI technology as undertaken by government initiatives.

The UPECL is looking for real estate developers specializing in IT park and IT city development to develop, maintain, and operate the AI city. As stated in the tender, the Department of IT & Electronics has already identified potential land parcels for establishing the AI City across prominent locations within Lucknow.

The State government will provide 40 acres of land at a “prime location” of Nadarganj Industrial Area for the project. It will also support the developer in “land acquisition, zoning regulations, and other relevant clearances", and provide financial support through “attractive financial incentives, such as one-time CAPEX support of 25 percent up to INR 20 Crores for IT Park and INR 100 Crores for IT City".