Nasscom opens CoE for AI, data science in Bengaluru

The Government of Karnataka along with software industry lobby Nasscom  on Thursday   launched Centre of Excellence (CoE) for data science and artificial intelligence, with a total investment of Rs 40 crore.  

Announcing the launch as part of Bengaluru Technology Summit, Karnataka IT & BT Minister  Priyank Kharge said that the centre is an effort to further boost Karnataka's prowess in technology.  

"The CoE is based on a public-private partnership model. We are known for our software capabilities the worldover and now we have to be very much acquainted with emerging technologies. The CoE on AI is a step in this right direction,"he said.  

Kharge said the  CoE is expected to position Karnataka as one among the top five global innovation centres of AI over the next five years. He added that the centre will be located in Diamond District and could be relocated in future.    

"The CoE will give high-end technology capabilities, thought leadership, and curated programmes to augment capabilities across academia, enterprises, government, innovators and advanced startups," he said.

Speaking at the event, Nasscom President R Chandrashekhar said that technology is going towards niche areas like AI, machine learning, block chain and analytics. "The centre will help in fostering skill sets for new-age technologies at affordable costs in the job market," he said.  

India a disruptor

Chandrashekhar said that CoE will position India as a disruptor in the space, and the IT body will evangelise a programme across the country to supplement India's vision to lead in the digital economy.

He also added that Bengaluru always pioneered frontier technologies in India.

"We have the power of youth in Bengaluru, who are ready to take up complex technology challenges. The CoE will further boost this image," he said.