Minister Highlights Tamil Nadu’s Innovation-Driven Growth, R&D Focus, and Commitment to Building Future-Ready Industries
Chennai: “Tamil Nadu’s strength lies in its unparalleled tech talent, with 20% of India’s technology professionals hailing from the state. Over 80% of the workforce in the state’s IT sector is local, a unique distinction in India and home to multiple thriving IT hubs, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, and Salem. Our government remains committed to fostering ease of doing business for companies already here, while actively positioning the state as a global IT powerhouse,” said Dr Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Hon’ble Minister for IT & Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu at the 22nd Edition of CII Connect 2024 held today in Chennai.
“Furthermore, Tamil Nadu has allowed startups to offer technology solutions without going through the traditional tender process, fostering faster innovation. The key priorities for the next 4 years include skilling graduating talent and integrating them into the workforce through the ICT Academy, and establish policies for R&D, deep tech, and AI guidelines, build a skilled and stable local workforce, reducing attrition and provide support programs for startups to fuel innovation and growth, the Minister added.
Mr V Mahadesha, Director, Software Technology Parks of India, highlighted the robust infrastructure developed across India and emphasized their commitment to partnering with the government to make Tamil Nadu home to the most safe and secure IT infrastructure in the country. “With a clear vision for growth, the target is set to establish 400 Global Capability Centers (GCCs) by 2027, driving innovation, employment, and economic transformation in the state,” he pointed out.
“Tamil Nadu stands at the cusp of transformative growth, driven by collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers. Our focus is on building future-ready industries, fostering innovation, and supporting policies that position the state as a global leader in development and technology,” said Mr S Mahalingam, Founding Chairman, CII Connect & Former CFO & Executive Director, TCS.
“Tamil Nadu, with its robust education system, rich talent pool, thriving tech industry, and supportive government policies, is uniquely positioned to become the AI hub of India. The Tamil Nadu Artificial Intelligence Mission aiming to improve the efficiency and accessibility of public services, and the innovative Digital Agricultural mission using drones and AI for soil health are some of the advancements that highlight the state’s growing AI ecosystem,” Rajesh Varrier – EVP, Global Head of Operations, Cognizant and Chairman and Managing Director, Cognizant India.
“Tamil Nadu’s internet penetration sets a benchmark for the rest of the country, with 12,525 village panchayats having access to Optical Fibre Network that provides 1 GBPS high speed Internet. Also, Tamil Nadu is the third largest software exporting state in the country, with the IT/ ITES sector contributing significantly to the state’s GDP,” said Mr Srivats Ram, Chairman, CII Connect 2024 & MD, Wheels India.
“The global AI industry is projected to grow into an $826.7 billion market by 2030. Tamil Nadu, with its thriving ecosystem, is poised to play a significant role in this transformation,” said Dr R Nandini, Chairperson, CII Southern Region & MD, Chandra Textiles.
The two-day conference had sessions on AI in Manufacturing: Shaping Smarter, Efficient & Futuristic Operations, The Magic of AI in Supply Chain and Managing & Building by Data with AI along with panel discussions.
Chennai: “Tamil Nadu’s strength lies in its unparalleled tech talent, with 20% of India’s technology professionals hailing from the state. Over 80% of the workforce in the state’s IT sector is local, a unique distinction in India and home to multiple thriving IT hubs, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, and Salem. Our government remains committed to fostering ease of doing business for companies already here, while actively positioning the state as a global IT powerhouse,” said Dr Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Hon’ble Minister for IT & Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu at the 22nd Edition of CII Connect 2024 held today in Chennai.
“Furthermore, Tamil Nadu has allowed startups to offer technology solutions without going through the traditional tender process, fostering faster innovation. The key priorities for the next 4 years include skilling graduating talent and integrating them into the workforce through the ICT Academy, and establish policies for R&D, deep tech, and AI guidelines, build a skilled and stable local workforce, reducing attrition and provide support programs for startups to fuel innovation and growth, the Minister added.
Mr V Mahadesha, Director, Software Technology Parks of India, highlighted the robust infrastructure developed across India and emphasized their commitment to partnering with the government to make Tamil Nadu home to the most safe and secure IT infrastructure in the country. “With a clear vision for growth, the target is set to establish 400 Global Capability Centers (GCCs) by 2027, driving innovation, employment, and economic transformation in the state,” he pointed out.
“Tamil Nadu stands at the cusp of transformative growth, driven by collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers. Our focus is on building future-ready industries, fostering innovation, and supporting policies that position the state as a global leader in development and technology,” said Mr S Mahalingam, Founding Chairman, CII Connect & Former CFO & Executive Director, TCS.
“Tamil Nadu, with its robust education system, rich talent pool, thriving tech industry, and supportive government policies, is uniquely positioned to become the AI hub of India. The Tamil Nadu Artificial Intelligence Mission aiming to improve the efficiency and accessibility of public services, and the innovative Digital Agricultural mission using drones and AI for soil health are some of the advancements that highlight the state’s growing AI ecosystem,” Rajesh Varrier – EVP, Global Head of Operations, Cognizant and Chairman and Managing Director, Cognizant India.
“Tamil Nadu’s internet penetration sets a benchmark for the rest of the country, with 12,525 village panchayats having access to Optical Fibre Network that provides 1 GBPS high speed Internet. Also, Tamil Nadu is the third largest software exporting state in the country, with the IT/ ITES sector contributing significantly to the state’s GDP,” said Mr Srivats Ram, Chairman, CII Connect 2024 & MD, Wheels India.
“The global AI industry is projected to grow into an $826.7 billion market by 2030. Tamil Nadu, with its thriving ecosystem, is poised to play a significant role in this transformation,” said Dr R Nandini, Chairperson, CII Southern Region & MD, Chandra Textiles.
The two-day conference had sessions on AI in Manufacturing: Shaping Smarter, Efficient & Futuristic Operations, The Magic of AI in Supply Chain and Managing & Building by Data with AI along with panel discussions.