Maharashtra to Draft New AI Policy with Focus on Datasets

Maharashtra is set to draft its first AI policy, aiming to position the state as a leader in AI advancements. State Information and Technology Minister Ashish Shelar announced this initiative during a meeting with IT Department officials. 

The proposed AI policy will include initiatives that will leverage AI to boost industries and create employment opportunities in AI-related fields. They will also work towards enhancing public services and governance through AI-driven solutions. The state aims to prepare its workforce for AI-driven changes in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and logistics through specialised training programs and industry collaborations.

IndiaAI Mission

The new policy will align with the national IndiaAI Mission launched by the central government with a budget of ₹10,372 crore. This national initiative includes programs such as the India AI Datasets Platform, application development, and support for AI startups.

Collecting and aggregating non-personal datasets from January 2025 to build a comprehensive database for the India AI Datasets Platform will be one of Maharashtra’s policy goals. 

The draft policy is expected to be unveiled later this year after incorporating stakeholder input and aligning with Maharashtra's economic and social priorities. Experts and industry leaders will review it before finalisation.

Besides Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and others are independently progressing on their AI initiatives to boost the economy in their respective states. A few days ago, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella visited the Telangana government, where strategic talks on expanding Microsoft data centres and other initiatives in the state were discussed.