From Our Correspondent
San Francisco: Andhra Pradesh IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh held a series of high-level meetings in the United States, pitching the state as an emerging hub for AI, data centres, deep-tech innovation and creative industries.
In a meeting with OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Srinivas Narayanan, Lokesh proposed collaboration to establish an AI University in Andhra Pradesh and sought support for the state’s goal of “one AI-enabled member in every family.” He said the government plans to offer free ChatGPT access to undergraduate and school students in the initial phase. Lokesh also urged OpenAI to consider AP as a location for future data centre operations, noting the state’s rapid emergence as a data hub. Narayanan said OpenAI is working with Infosys, TCS and others on enterprise AI integration and promised to discuss AP’s proposals with a senior delegation.
In another meeting, Lokesh invited global venture capital firm Celesta VC to set up a Deep Tech Innovation Hub in Andhra Pradesh, emphasising the investment-friendly climate and Vizag’s rise as an IT and data hub. He encouraged investments in semiconductors, AI and quantum computing, adding that AP is rolling out an escrow-based incentive system to ensure timely support to industries. Celesta VC Managing Partner Arun Kumar said the firm is focused on deep-tech and enterprise software investments across the US, India, Israel and Southeast Asia, and would evaluate the state’s proposals.
Lokesh also met Creative Land Asia founder Sajan Raj Kurup, senior partner Eyang Kapping and Hollywood filmmaker Chuck Russell to push for early launch of the Creator Land project in Amaravati. The state aims to build AI-driven virtual studios, AR/VR theme parks and global co-production facilities as part of a future “transmedia city.” Kurup said the project could attract up to ₹10,000 crore in investment and generate 1.5 lakh jobs, noting that work is being prepared under last year’s MoU.
In a separate meeting, OpsRamp CEO Varma Koonapuneeni was urged to support IT infrastructure modernisation for AP’s smart cities, digital governance and electronics manufacturing clusters. Lokesh invited OpsRamp to partner with the AP Tech Academy for AIOps training and internships, and to help nurture SME and startup ecosystems. Varma said OpsRamp serves over 500 global clients, including Fortune 500 firms, and would study the proposals.