Kerala aims to balance AI innovation with job creation

The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, spoke on Monday about the state's approach to artificial intelligence (AI) amid its growing global adoption. He addressed concerns about innovation and job losses during a discussion in the assembly. Vijayan noted that while technology improves productivity, it can also lead to job displacement. He assured that Kerala aims to balance innovation with job creation. The state plans to enhance AI research through institutions like Kerala Digital University and IIITM-K. Additionally, new AI-focused courses will be introduced in universities to prepare a skilled workforce. To support job opportunities in AI, special training programs will be launched for the youth. The Kerala Startup Mission will receive an additional ₹10 crore to help tech startups in areas like machine learning and gaming. A new graphics processing unit cluster is also set to be established to further assist AI innovators. The government is investing ₹350 crore in an Emerging Technology Hub at Technocity, Thiruvananthapuram, which will explore AI applications in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and renewable energy. Furthermore, Kerala is developing an AI policy that will guide software development, skill training, and startup assistance. Vijayan emphasized the need for responsible AI use and announced plans for community education programs to help bridge the digital divide. Workshops on generative AI are being organized for university faculty to increase AI literacy. In cooperation with NVIDIA, Kerala is researching small language models to boost its AI capabilities. The Chief Minister concluded by stating that Kerala's focus is not just on productivity but on ensuring that AI benefits society as a whole, with a commitment to ethical development inspired by European standards.