- India Leads in AI Penetration, Says Union Minister at ‘UP AI and Health Innovation Conference’
- Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak Highlights Historic Transformation in UP’s Health Sector After 2017
- NITI Aayog Member Vinod Kumar Paul Projects India to Contribute 10–15% to Global AI Landscape by 2035
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is fast emerging not only as a major investment destination but also as a hub for technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state is making rapid strides in digitalisation, AI and emerging technologies. Union Minister Jitin Prasada made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the ‘UP AI and Health Innovation Conference’ on Monday.
The Union Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has established itself among the world’s leading economies and has also reached the top globally in terms of AI penetration. He asserted that the next major breakthroughs in agriculture and healthcare will not come from America’s Silicon Valley, but from India—particularly from Uttar Pradesh’s Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The conference was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, NITI Aayog Member Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul and Minister for IT and Electronics Sunil Kumar Sharma, who shared their perspectives on AI-driven healthcare and digital transformation.
UP Moving from Investment Hub to Tech Destination: Jitin Prasada
Jitin Prasada said Uttar Pradesh has already become an investment destination and is now rapidly evolving into a technology destination as well. Significant work is underway in AI, digitalisation and semiconductors, which reflects India’s growing technological capability. Citing reports from global institutions including Stanford, he noted that India has reached the top position in AI penetration worldwide.
He added that with rapid technological growth come new challenges, making cyber literacy a key government priority. Efforts are being made to take basic cyber hygiene, AI awareness and digital skills to villages and households, especially among mobile and internet users. On concerns such as deepfakes and misinformation, the Union Minister said both the Centre and state governments are working in coordination and any attempt to misuse technology to cause harm will not be tolerated.
Prasada said India has emerged as a strong global pillar, backed by public trust in Prime Minister Modi at the national level and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh. When public sentiment aligns with governance, he said, it becomes easier to take bold and far-reaching decisions.
Global Focus on Delhi’s Upcoming AI Impact Summit
Referring to the upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Jitin Prasada said such global events have traditionally been hosted by developed nations, but for the first time India is hosting it. The world is closely watching the outcomes of the summit, which is expected to play a crucial role in shaping and implementing India’s AI policy. He expressed confidence that India is on track to become the “AI Service Provider of the World,” with startups and youth playing a pivotal role.
He highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s proactive initiatives, including providing GPUs to researchers at subsidised rates to enable the development of new AI models and socially relevant solutions. He also praised programmes such as AI Pragya, UP AGRIS and AI-based marketplaces. In healthcare, he cited the ‘Roshni Model,’ which uses photographs to detect cataracts in patients’ eyes, as an example of practical AI application.
Transformational Change in Health Sector After 2017: Brajesh Pathak
Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak said India is passing through a crucial phase, addressing global challenges with confidence. Uttar Pradesh’s role is particularly significant, he noted, as the state represents nearly one-sixth of the world’s population. Any successful initiative in UP, therefore, has national-scale impact.
Comparing the situation before and after 2017, Pathak said the state’s health sector has undergone a historic transformation. The concept of ‘One District, One Medical College’ has been successfully implemented. While UP had only 17 government medical colleges in 2017, the number has now risen to 81 functioning medical colleges. MBBS seats have nearly tripled from 5,000 to around 12,000–12,500, with substantial growth in postgraduate and super-specialty training as well.
He said tertiary care institutions such as Lohia Institute, PGI and KGMU have shown remarkable improvement, while steps toward quaternary care are being taken under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership through special budgetary provisions. He expressed confidence that UP PGI would be among the first in the country to achieve success in this domain. To implement AI across the healthcare system, all medical colleges in the state are being digitally interconnected. He also highlighted large-scale free healthcare services and innovative initiatives, including an app developed in collaboration with the State Bank to provide easy access to ultrasound services for women.
Uttar Pradesh to Play Key Role in India’s AI Growth: Vinod Kumar Paul
NITI Aayog Member Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul said the Commission has been working on AI policy for several years. An AI strategy was developed in 2018–19, and over the past two years, frontier hubs have been advancing work in AI, quantum economy, agriculture, manufacturing and job creation.
Citing estimates, he said that by 2035, India is expected to contribute 10 to 15 percent to the global AI landscape, with overall AI opportunities ranging between USD 1.1 and 1.4 trillion. Uttar Pradesh, he added, will have a significant share in this growth. Under the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047,’ efforts are also underway to increase life expectancy from 71 to 85 years.
IT and Electronics Minister Sunil Kumar Sharma said that with support from the Indian AI Mission, AI-based healthcare services, research and digital transformation are gaining momentum in Uttar Pradesh. Deliberations on AI, machine learning, digital health, telemedicine and smart medical services are expected to further strengthen the state’s technology and healthcare ecosystem.
