Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from being an emerging technology to becoming a strategic driver of economic growth and governance, with Uttar Pradesh positioning itself to become a leading AI destination through new investments in innovation, infrastructure and talent development.At the AI Tech Summit 2026, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Uttar Pradesh, in association with the Department of IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh, policymakers, industry leaders, technology experts, startups and academia discussed the growing role of AI in accelerating digital transformation across sectors.Addressing the Summit, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Minister for IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh, said artificial intelligence is no longer a technology of the future but a necessity of the present.
He said AI has the potential to transform governance, healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing and businesses, adding that the state is committed to building a robust AI ecosystem by promoting innovation, strengthening digital infrastructure, supporting startups and developing a future-ready workforce through collaboration between government, industry and academia.Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary, IT & Electronics, announced that Uttar Pradesh is establishing two Deep Tech Hubs while advancing its vision of developing Lucknow as an AI City. He called for stronger partnerships between industry, academia and government in curriculum development, training, internships and mentorship to build a skilled AI workforce and strengthen the state’s technology ecosystem.
Abhishek Saraff, Chairman, CII Uttar Pradesh, and Managing Director, Avadh Rail Infra Ltd, described AI as the foundation of the next industrial transformation and said Uttar Pradesh has a unique opportunity to emerge as a national leader in responsible AI adoption. He said CII would work closely with stakeholders to accelerate AI-led innovation, strengthen skilling initiatives and support startups.Mayank, CEO & Managing Director, ADROSONIC, said Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a preferred destination for advanced manufacturing and technology-led innovation, backed by progressive policies, improving infrastructure and a growing industrial ecosystem. He urged industries to accelerate adoption of AI and Industry 4.0 technologies while investing in innovation and workforce upskilling.
Dr Subi Chaturvedi, Global SVP and Chief Corporate Affairs & Public Policy Officer at InMobi, said Uttar Pradesh has the potential to emerge as a leading AI hub, with Lucknow playing a pivotal role in nurturing the country’s next generation of technology champions. She outlined five pillars critical to building an AI-first future—compute, data, talent, applications and trust—and said the next wave of AI innovation could emerge from Lucknow.
Ajai Kumar Singh, Head – Zonal Operations, Tata Consultancy Services, said Uttar Pradesh is steadily evolving into an AI powerhouse, supported by progressive government policies, an expanding startup ecosystem and strong industry participation. He said the proposed AI City initiative could position the state as a major destination for AI-driven innovation, talent and technology-led growth.
