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Google on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government to boost technological advancement and foster innovation in the state. (Photo: Reuters)
It’s time for Chenn.AI to join Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) roadmap. The global giant has signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu government and the state’s AI ecosystem.
With this partnership, the company aims to train 2 million youth in AI through Naan Mudhalvan, collaborate with startups and enable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the rural economy to benefit from cutting-edge technology.
Tamil Nadu on Sunday got an investment of Rs 400 crore from US-based Ohmium International to set up a manufacturing plant in the state. Chief Minister MK Stalin is currently visiting the US to seek investments in Tamil Nadu.
The deal with Google comes after Google parent Alphabet announced plans to manufacture Pixel smartphones in Tamil Nadu in a partnership with Foxconn. The operation will be carried out at a former Nokia campus in Sriperumbudur, located 40 kilometres southwest of Chennai. Apart from smartphones, the American tech giant will also start manufacturing drones in the state through its subsidiary Wing LLC.
Google on Saturday exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government to boost technological advancement and foster innovation in the state.
The exchange of MoUs took place at Google’s offices in Mountain View in the presence of Stalin and Industries Minister TRB Rajaa.
Also present were Amit Zavery, Vice President (VP) and Head of Platform at Google Cloud, and Nanda Ramachandran, Vice President of Pixel Business Unit at Google.
Under the MoU, Google will collaborate with Guidance, the nodal agency of the Government of Tamil Nadu for investment promotion and facilitation, to support the development of a robust AI ecosystem. This includes access to advanced technologies and resources, with a focus on enabling individuals, businesses and government entities to leverage AI for inclusive growth and progress.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Google on advanced manufacturing, including the recently announced Made in India Pixel 8 phone, manufactured in Tamil Nadu. The MoU signed will explore key AI initiatives under the Tamil Nadu AI Labs. Our partnership with Google is a major step towards establishing Tamil Nadu as a thriving AI and advanced electronics manufacturing hub. We are not just embracing technology; we are harnessing its power to propel our state into the future,” Rajaa said.
“Naan Mudhalvan, a visionary initiative of the CM, which is the largest upskilling initiative in India, aims to equip the youth of Tamil Nadu with future-ready AI skills and drive innovation in key sectors like startups, mobility, healthcare and other real-world challenges. The state is committed to equipping 2 million youth with cutting-edge AI skills to make them future-ready. We look forward to exploring initiatives with Google under this programme,” he added.
“We are delighted to collaborate with the Government of Tamil Nadu as they move towards an AI-enabled future. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to fostering 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 drives innovation and creates opportunities, but also equips individuals with the skills they need to thrive in the digital age,” added Zavery.
Google and the Tamil Nadu government are exploring collaborations for manufacturing Pixel 8 phones. The Pixel 8 devices made in India are manufactured in Tamil Nadu through local partnerships. Google will collaborate with the government to upskill the Tamil Nadu workforce in AI and explore AI learning initiatives under the flagship Naan Mudhalvan upskilling platform.
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First published: September 1, 2024 | 4:50 p.m. IST
