Team Blitz India
MUMBAI: Google Inc. has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra on artificial intelligence (AI)-led advancements across various sectors.
Under this agreement, Google will join forces with the state to pioneer innovative and scalable AI solutions spanning agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, education, and startups.
As per the MoU, Google will support startups by offering mentorship and networking avenues. Seasoned experts from Google and industry leaders will guide startups in diverse realms including technology, product development, and business strategy, among others.
Additionally, select startups will gain access to investor connections, while eligible VC-funded AI startups will receive cloud credits, technical training, and business assistance through Google’s AI Startup programme, all aimed at catalysing their growth trajectory.
This collaboration also encompasses Google’s commitment to bolstering state Government-led initiatives in skill training and education. Google will facilitate the launch of skill courses on YouTube, conduct a train-the-trainer programme on its Gen AI products for educators, and equip 500 government IT professionals with conversational AI skills via Google Cloud, thereby fostering a digitally empowered workforce.
Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its potential to drive AI-driven development across the state.
He emphasised the significance of empowering citizens with future-ready skills and revolutionising critical sectors such as healthcare and agriculture, while fostering a conducive environment for AI startups through the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence at IIIT Nagpur.
In the healthcare domain, Google aims to enhance access to healthcare services through AI-enabled screening initiatives. Collaborating with the state, Google will deploy state-of-theart Health AI imaging models like TBChest X-ray and Diabetic Retinopathy, underscoring its commitment to leveraging technology for societal well-being.
Google will also assist the state government in developing AI-powered solutions for farmer assistance, leveraging its Agricultural Landscape Understanding (ALU) API to provide comprehensive insights about farmland. This entails leveraging remote sensing AI / ML technology to offer detailed information about field sizes, water resources, and other topographical features at an individual farm level.
The Government will harness Google Cloud’s AI and machine learning technologies for pilot solutions aimed at processing citizen queries and feedback, thereby enhancing access to government schemes and services.
