T.N. government will set up 2 million-sq.ft AI facility in Coimbatore under PPP mode: Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announces plans for a 2 million-sq.ft AI facility in Coimbatore.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday (January 9, 2025) said the State government would set up a 2 million-sq.ft facility for artificial intelligence (AI) in Coimbatore under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

“Tamil Nadu is always ahead of others in promoting industries, information technology (IT), and other emerging sectors. In line with the emerging changes in technology, the State government is actively pursuing transformative fields such as AI, blockchain, internet of things (IoT), and electric vehicles,” he said at the inaugural of the Third edition of the State’s Information Technology and Digital Services Department’s tech and innovation summit — ’Umagine TN-2025’.

“The number of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) has been increasing since the DMK came to power. However, I won’t be satisfied with that. I will think about how Tamil Nadu can grow further,” Mr. Stalin said.

“In 1999, Kalaignar (former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi) established the Tidel Park in Chennai. Today, we are moving to the next level. The Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd. (ELCOT) has established IT parks and mini-Tidel parks in Tier-II and Tier-III cities such as Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, Tiruchi, Hosur, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Villupuram, and Thoothukudi,” he said.

“The reason for this is that growth should not be concentrated in the capital alone. Real growth should be balanced, equitable, and distributed. That is why are creating job opportunities for youth, not only in Chennai but also in other cities,” Mr. Stalin said.

AI is the next big thing that is being discussed everywhere, he said, adding that, “State Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan has stated clearly several times that AI and machine learning would not take away jobs, but increase job opportunities.”

“Human resources are critical for the IT sector, that is why my pet project Naan Mudhalvan scheme was rolled out, and it has succeeded in imparting soft skills and other job-related skills among youth and giving them leverage,” he said.