AI, ML & IoT

Advantage Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has been actively embracing and benefiting from advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and the Internet of Things (IoT) across various sectors.

  • Rich Talent Pool: Tamil Nadu is home to several prestigious educational institutions and universities, producing a steady stream of skilled engineers and data scientists. This talent pool can be a valuable resource for AI/ML & IoT Sector Startups.
  • Strong IT Infrastructure: Tamil Nadu is equipped with a well-established IT infrastructure and connectivity, making it easier to develop and deploy AI/ML & IoT solutions. Access to high-speed Internet and cloud services is readily available.
  • Government Support: The Tamil Nadu Government promotes entrepreneurship and technology innovation in a big way. Various schemes, incentives and funding opportunities are available for Startups, including those in the AI/ML & IoT Sector.
  • Incubators and Accelerators: Tamil Nadu has numerous incubators, accelerators and innovation hubs that provide mentorship, funding and networking opportunities for AI/ML & IoT Sector Startups. Tidel Park in Chennai and various Startup incubators in educational institutions offer support to AI/ML & IoT Sector Startups. iTNT hub established in Chennai is supporting Deep Tech Startups.
  • Diverse Industries: Tamil Nadu has a diverse industrial landscape, encompassing manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture and logistics. AI/ML & IoT Sector Startups can find applications across these sectors that offer a wide range of potential customers and opportunities for collaboration.
  • Market Potential: The State has a significant population and a growing economy that can create a substantial market for AI-driven products and services. Tamil Nadu’s businesses and organisations are increasingly interested in adopting AI solutions to stay competitive.
  • Cost-Effective Operations: The cost of doing business in Tamil Nadu is relatively lower compared to some other tech hubs in India. This can be advantageous for Startups looking to manage their operating costs efficiently.
  • Research Collaboration: Collaboration with research institutions and universities can foster innovation and provide access to cutting-edge research and talent. Many institutions in Tamil Nadu actively engage in AI and ML research.
  • Quality of Life: Tamil Nadu offers a high quality of life, with good infrastructure, healthcare facilities and educational opportunities. This can be very useful to attract and retain talent.
  • Global Exposure: Chennai is well-connected globally, providing opportunities for AI/ML & IoT Sector Startups to access international markets and collaborate with global partners.
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Sector Incharge

Gigin Durai C

gigin@startuptn.in/a>

7200722996

Introduction about the sector

The rapidly evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and the Internet of Things (IoT) has ushered in a new era of technological innovation and transformation. In recent years, these interrelated fields have not only captured the imagination of tech enthusiasts but have also become integral components of industries, ranging from healthcare and finance to transportation and entertainment.

AI, with its ability to replicate human intelligence, ML, with its capacity to decipher complex patterns from vast datasets, and IoT, which connects billions of devices and sensors, are collectively driving unprecedented advancements and reshaping the way we live, work and interact with the world around us. This introduction sets the stage for an exploration of the AI/ML/IoT sector, where we delve into the exciting developments, challenges and possibilities that lie ahead in this dynamic realm of technology.

Tamil Nadu has been actively embracing and benefiting from advancements in AI, ML and IoT across various sectors.

Market Potential and Future Scope

Agriculture

Precision Agriculture: AI and IoT can help farmers optimise crop yields by providing real-time data on soil conditions, weather and crop health.
Pest and Disease Management: ML algorithms can predict and detect crop diseases and pest infestations early, helping farmers take timely actions.
Water Management: IoT sensors can monitor soil moisture levels and irrigation systems, reducing water wastage.

Healthcare

Remote Healthcare: AI-powered telemedicine solutions enable patients in rural areas to access healthcare services remotely.
Predictive Medicine: ML can be used to predict disease outbreaks and monitor patient health, improving healthcare delivery.

Smart Cities

Traffic Management: IoT sensors and AI can optimise traffic flow, reducing congestion and pollution.
Waste Management: Smart bins equipped with sensors can optimise waste collection routes, reducing costs and environmental impact.

Education

Personalised Learning: AI can tailor educational content to individual students, improving learning outcomes.
Smart Classrooms: IoT devices can enhance classroom experiences with interactive tools and real-time monitoring.

Manufacturing

Industry 4.0: AI and IoT can transform manufacturing processes with predictive maintenance, quality control and supply chain optimisation.
Energy Efficiency: Smart sensors can monitor energy consumption, helping industries reduce costs and environmental impact.

Environmental Conservation

Wildlife Protection: AI-powered camera traps and sensors can help protect endangered species by detecting poaching activities.
Pollution Monitoring: IoT devices can monitor air and water quality, helping to address environmental concerns.

Transportation

Public Transit: AI-driven predictive analytics can improve public transportation scheduling and reliability.
Autonomous Vehicles: AI and IoT are essential for the development of autonomous vehicles, potentially reducing accidents and congestion.

Business and Startups

AI and ML Startups in Tamil Nadu can leverage the region’s strong IT talent pool and infrastructure for research and development. IoT applications can enable businesses to collect valuable data for decision-making and process optimisation.

Initiatives

Union Government

  • In 2020, the Union Government increased the outlay for Digital India to $477 million to boost AI, IoT, big data, cybersecurity, machine learning and robotics. India’s flagship digital initiative aims to make the Internet more accessible, promoting e-governance, e-banking, e-education and e-health.
  • In the 2019 Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government would offer industry-relevant skill training for 10 million youth in India in technologies like AI, Big Data and Robotics.
  • Additionally, policy-level initiatives by the Minidtry of Electronics and Information Technology and programmes around AI by NASSCOM and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have laid the groundwork for future disruption and created a roadmap for AI in India.
  • Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) is a laboratory of the DRDO, for research and development in AI, Robotics, command and control, networking, information and communication security. CAIR is involved in the development of mission-critical products for battlefield communication and management systems.
  • US-India AI Initiative: The Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) launched the US-India Artificial Intelligence Initiative in 2021 to foster AI innovation by sharing ideas and experiences, identifying new opportunities in research and development and bilateral collaboration.
  • Applied AI Research Centre, Telangana: The Telangana Government, in collaboration with Intel India, International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H), and Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) launched INAI (Intel AI), an applied AI research centre in Hyderabad. The centre focuses on solving challenges in India’s healthcare and smart mobility segment.
  • Responsible AI for Youth: Responsible AI for Youth is a national programme for government schools to empower the young generation to become AI-ready and reduce the skill gap in India. Established by the National e-Governance Division of MeitY, the platform aims to help the students develop a new-age tech mindset and relevant skill-sets.
  • MCA 3.0 portal: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has launched a new version of its portal, Version 3.0, MCA 21, which leveragees data analytics, AI, an d ML, to simplify regulatory filings for companies. The idea behind the revamp is to promote ease of doing business and compliance monitoring.
  • AI portal: Jointly developed by MeitY and NASSCOM in June 2020, the Union Government launched a dedicated AI portal, India AI, as a central hub for everything. The portal is a one-stop-shop for all AI-related developments and initiatives in India.
  • National Research Foundation: NRF, an autonomous body under the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, has been established to boost research across segments, including AI.
  • Promoting AI in schools: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has prepared a new National Curriculum Framework for School Education in pursuance of the National Education Policy 2020. This aims at introducing a basic course on AI at the secondary level.
  • Policy on Internet of Things (IoT): The Policy on IoT lays a framework that includes setting up of 100 smart cities in the country and automating several industries such as energy, health and disaster management via remotely connected devices.
  • Smart Cities: IoT plays a pivotal role in the Smart Cities project. The government has dedicated an investment of Rs 7,060 crore on this project.
  • Centre of Excellence for IoT, Bengaluru: The Union Government, in association with NASSCOM, has launched a Centre of Excellence for IoT.

State Government

  • The Tamil Nadu Government has set up of a Centre of Excellence in Emerging Technologies (CEET) under the aegis of Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (TNeGA). It is mandated to work with government departments and help them solve their key governance problems with the help of Emerging Technologies such as AI, IoT, Blockchain, Drones, AR /VR and others.
  • Digital Accelerator under Yaadhum Oorae : The Government of Tamil Nadu has announced a Digital Accelerator scheme under Yaadhum Oorae in association with American Tamil Entrepreneurs Association (ATEA) to promote Startups investing in Tamil Nadu from US in various fields, such as IT/healthcare/EV/emerging areas on IoT, AI, Cloud Computing/SDGs.

Resources

  •  iTNT Hub – iTNT Hub is India’s First Emerging and DeepTech Innovation Network established by the Government of Tamil Nadu. This acts as a catalyst that engages, activates and brings together diverse industries, a forward-thinking government, global alliances, the State’s thriving entrepreneurial capabilities and India’s vast, untapped capability to create a thriving innovation ecosystem that delivers outcomes that benefit the world.
  • Research and Educational Institutions: Tamil Nadu is home to several prestigious educational institutions and universities, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, which has been actively involved in AI research and education. These institutions contribute significantly to AI knowledge and talent development.

Incubators

  • Vel’s University Incubation Centre has embarked on nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship focusing on AI and IoT.
  • Forge, Kumaraguru Incubation Centre empowers government, industry and academia to exploit strategic opportunities through innovation, powered by deep-technologies such as AI, Data Science, Robotics, Power Electronics, AR/VR and IoT.
  • Software Technology Parks of India : Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has its focus on boosting up software exports from the country. It has 63 centres spread across the country and works with an objective to implement STP/EHTP scheme of the Union Government and set up and manage infrastructural facilities.