Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh outlined its ambitious roadmap for artificial intelligence, digital governance and emerging technologies on the opening day of the Third National Digital Innovation Summit 2026, jointly organised by the state’s Department of IT and Electronics and Elets Technomedia at The Centrum in Lucknow.
The two-day summit, themed “Powering Innovation, Infrastructure and AI in Uttar Pradesh,” brought together policymakers, senior government officials, technology experts, industry leaders, academicians and startup founders to discuss strategies for accelerating the state’s digital transformation.
The event focused on strengthening collaboration between government and industry to position Uttar Pradesh as a leading hub for artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, electronics manufacturing, cybersecurity, data centres, startups and other emerging technologies.
Addressing the inaugural session, Principal Secretary, Department of IT and Electronics, Alok Kumar said the state is building an AI ecosystem that integrates policy, innovation and good governance. He highlighted initiatives such as the State AI Mission, AI Stack, AI City, Deep-Tech Hub and advanced digital infrastructure aimed at attracting investment, generating employment and fostering technological innovation.
Elets Technomedia Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Dr Ravi Gupta said artificial intelligence is becoming a cornerstone of future governance. He stressed the need for close collaboration among governments, industry, educational institutions and startups to develop responsible, citizen-centric digital solutions.
During the event, a special edition of eGov magazine titled “Uttar Pradesh: Shaping the Future – AI and Digital Innovation” was unveiled. The publication showcases the state’s achievements and initiatives in AI, digital governance, electronics manufacturing, data centres, startups and emerging technologies.
Senior Adviser at NITI Aayog Dr Vivek Kumar Singh said Uttar Pradesh is well positioned to emerge as a national leader in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies and advanced manufacturing due to its strong policy framework, expanding digital infrastructure and rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem.
Principal Secretary, Department of Vocational Education and Skill Development, Dr Hari Om emphasised the importance of preparing a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of future technologies. He said stronger collaboration between industry, academia and government would be essential for building a successful AI-driven economy.
The summit also featured presentations by leading domestic and international technology companies showcasing cutting-edge solutions in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, digital sovereignty, smart governance and secure digital infrastructure. Experts highlighted the growing role of trusted AI, data security and advanced technologies in improving citizen services and public administration.
A series of panel discussions explored key themes including AI-enabled governance, cybersecurity, digital trust, electronics manufacturing, data centre ecosystems, startup development, skill enhancement and the future digital economy. Speakers agreed that the convergence of technology, innovation and policy would be instrumental in establishing Uttar Pradesh as a global centre for digital innovation.
An industry expo held alongside the conference displayed the latest products and solutions in AI, cloud computing, networking, smart infrastructure, cybersecurity and digital governance, attracting strong interest from delegates.
The first day concluded with participants expressing confidence that deeper partnerships between government, industry, academia and startups would accelerate Uttar Pradesh’s journey towards AI-powered governance, digital innovation and technological excellence. The summit will continue on July 18 with special technical sessions and a study visit to Ayodhya.
