Bihar Government Proposes State-of-the-Art AI Centre at IIT Patna
In a significant move towards technological advancement, the Bihar government has announced plans to establish a cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence on the IIT-Patna campus in Bihta. The project, estimated to cost approximately Rs 60 crore, was recommended during the second high-level meeting of the Bihar AI Mission, chaired by Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Wednesday.
Funding and Infrastructure Details
Officials revealed that around 11 acres of land have been earmarked on the IIT Patna campus for the proposed centre. The funding structure involves contributions from multiple sources: the Central government and the state government are each expected to provide Rs 24 crore, while industry partners are projected to contribute Rs 12 crore. However, it is important to note that this proposal is currently only a recommendation, pending further approvals and implementation steps.
Strategic Initiatives and Goals
During the meeting, Pratyaya Amrit emphasized Bihar's commitment to transitioning into a knowledge economy. He stated, "Bihar is no longer limited to infrastructure development; we are rapidly moving towards a 'knowledge economy' and cutting-edge technology. The use of AI is not just a technological shift; it will become a powerful tool for good governance in Bihar." The allocated funds are primarily intended for:
- Developing high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure
- Purchasing advanced AI tools and platforms
- Covering operational expenses
- Building skilled manpower through training and development programs
Additionally, the state plans to showcase its AI readiness by setting up a pavilion at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, highlighting its role in national and international AI development.
Applications and Impact Areas
The AI Centre of Excellence aims to leverage artificial intelligence across various sectors to drive positive change in Bihar. Key applications discussed include:
- Flood Forecasting: Enhancing prediction systems to mitigate natural disaster risks
- Agriculture: Improving crop yields through AI-powered disease detection and management
- Healthcare: Strengthening delivery services in remote rural areas with AI diagnostics and telemedicine
- Education: Preparing students for future employment by integrating AI into curricula and skill development
- Governance: Enabling data-driven decision-making and ensuring transparent delivery of welfare benefits
Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit directed all relevant departments to prepare a detailed strategy and roadmap before the next meeting to expedite on-ground implementation.
Meeting Participants and Progress
The high-level meeting saw participation from key officials, including Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries from departments such as education, agriculture, urban development and housing, health, and industries. Industry experts also attended, including Dr. Mahesh Kumar (CEO, Tiger Analytics), Harshvardhan Kumar (CEO, Avisys Technologies), Sopnendu Mohanty (CEO, GFTN), and Prof. Pritam Kumar from IIT Patna. Abhay Kumar, Secretary of the Information Technology Department, delivered a detailed presentation on the progress and action plan of the Bihar AI Mission, outlining steps to achieve the state's technological ambitions.
