In a bid to boost Digital India and the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the state administration, the Government of Maharashtra has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft Corporation to establish three AI Centres of Excellence in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur.
The MoUs were signed in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.
The Maharashtra government has also decided to form a high-power committee to strengthen Maharashtra Advanced Research and Vigilance for Enforcement of Reformed Laws Limited (MARVEL) for the efficient use of AI in government and semi-government offices.
MoU with Microsoft
Microsoft will help train the Maharashtra government staff in the use of Microsoft's co-pilot AI platform that will make the government more efficient, transparent and responsive to people's needs.
Microsoft will also help in establishing three AI centres in the state. The Mumbai Centre for Geospatial Analytics will be set up in the Chief Secretary's office in Mumbai. It will support decision-making in governance through satellite imagery analysis, spatial data management and geographic information system-based applications.
The second centre, a Forensic Research and AI Centre in Pune, will use AI to enhance criminal investigation processes, forensic data analysis and evidence management.
The third centre at Nagpur, based on MARVEL, will strengthen AI-driven solutions for government functions, focusing on enforcement, monitoring, vigilance and innovative governance reforms.
This training platform will provide government employees and students with knowledge and training in AI, cybersecurity and cloud technology. At the same time, industry sectors will be encouraged to adopt AI and automation, which will increase productivity and competitiveness.
