Bihar Government Seals Major Technology Deals at AI Impact Summit
The Bihar state government made a significant stride in its technological ambitions on Tuesday, signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) totaling Rs 468 crore with various companies in the technology sector. This landmark event occurred on the second day of the AI Impact Summit and Expo in New Delhi, marking a pivotal moment for the state's economic and technological development.
Key Investments and Infrastructure Projects
The agreements encompass several high-value projects designed to bolster Bihar's tech infrastructure. A research park in Patna is set to be established at a cost of Rs 250 crore, while a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be developed at the IIT campus in Bihta with an investment of Rs 60 crore. These initiatives are central to the state's strategy to enhance its research and innovation capabilities.
Additionally, MoUs were signed with Global Capability Centre (GCC) and IT units under the Bihar GCC Policy 2026 and Bihar IT Policy 2024. Notable partnerships include:
- Red Cyber with an investment of Rs 103 crore
- GrowQR committing Rs 30 crore
- CIPL investing Rs 25 crore
Policy Framework and Strategic Objectives
These agreements align with recently approved state policies, including the Bihar GCC Policy 2026 and the Bihar Semiconductor Policy 2026. The overarching goal is to position Bihar as a global technology hub for eastern and northeastern India. The state has also launched key initiatives such as a Mega AI Core of Engineering under the Bihar AI Mission, further solidifying its commitment to technological advancement.
Employment and Skill Development Impact
The new MoUs are projected to have a substantial socio-economic impact. They are expected to generate direct employment for over 10,000 people in the AI sector, while also strengthening innovation and investment in emerging technologies. Moreover, more than 50,000 youth will receive AI-based skill training, equipping the workforce with future-ready competencies.
Summit Participation and Leadership Involvement
The AI Impact Summit has attracted widespread participation, with CEOs from over 100 technology companies and representatives from 135 countries attending the five-day event. Heads of at least 20 states and ministers from more than 50 countries are also present. The summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring its national significance.
At the event, the Bihar Pavilion at Bharat Mandapam was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, with Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh) as the chief guest. Other notable attendees included IT Minister Shreyasi Singh, Industries Minister Dilip Jaiswal, JD(U) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Kumar Jha, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Additional Chief Secretary (GAD) B Rajender, Secretary (Industries) Kundan Kumar, and Secretary (IT) Abhay Kumar Singh. The programme was conducted under the chairmanship of Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh.
Leadership Statements and Vision
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary emphasized Bihar's commitment to technological growth, stating, "Bihar offers a positive environment for investments in semiconductor and IT sectors. By leveraging AI, our state wants to contribute towards 'Viksit Bharat'. The people from Bihar are making AI successful across the world. We have established policies on this and are working on it through the Centre of Excellence at IIT-Patna."
In a strategic partnership, Tiger Analytics will serve as the industry partner and IIT Patna as the academic partner at the AI Centre of Excellence, fostering collaboration between academia and industry.
AI Applications and Employment Outlook
Union Minister Giriraj Singh highlighted the practical applications of AI, noting, "We have started working on AI in panchayats, and it is strengthening the entire panchayat system, bringing transparency to it, and improving the ways they carry out their work. AI technology is also helpful in the agriculture sector; new technologies are emerging in animal husbandry and fisheries as well."
Addressing concerns about job displacement, he added, "In fact, AI will increase employment opportunities," reflecting an optimistic view of technology's role in job creation.
This series of agreements and policy initiatives marks a transformative step for Bihar, aiming to harness artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to drive economic growth, innovation, and skill development on a large scale.
