Andhra Pradesh has launched two Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence (AI CoEs) in Amaravati and Visakhapatnam. Through this, the government plans to provide early-stage deeptech startups with access to advanced AI infrastructure, mentorship, industry partnerships and commercialisation support. The initiative aims to reduce the high cost of AI development by giving startups access to high-performance GPU computing and AI testing environments without requiring significant upfront investment.
The AI Centres of Excellence have been established under the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH) with support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Andhra Pradesh Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications. The centres are designed to strengthen the state’s AI startup ecosystem by helping founders develop, test and scale AI-driven products more efficiently.
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Speaking at the launch, RTIH and Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society (APIS) CEO P. Dhatri Reddy said the initiative is intended to help startups move beyond the idea stage by providing both the technology infrastructure and the ecosystem support needed to commercialise AI innovations. She said the centres would also encourage stronger collaboration between academia, industry and research institutions, helping position Andhra Pradesh as a growing hub for AI-led entrepreneurship.
The facilities will provide startups with high-performance GPU computing resources, specialised AI sandboxes, mentorship programmes and structured industry connections. By making these resources available through a shared platform, the government aims to lower the entry barriers for startups building AI applications across different sectors.
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Krishna Priya Akella, Founder and CEO of AI-powered influencer marketing platform Starbuzz .ai, said access to GPU infrastructure, APIs, investor networks and market connections can significantly accelerate the journey of AI startups by reducing development costs and improving opportunities for commercial growth.
The importance of stronger industry-academia collaboration was also highlighted during the launch. Ganesh Reddy Karri, Professor and Deputy Director at the Centre of Excellence at VIT-AP University, said closer partnerships between universities and industry would help translate AI research into commercially viable technologies while creating a stronger innovation ecosystem.
Indrani Priyadarshini is a journalist and editorial professional specialising in technology, artificial intelligence, smart cities, green energy, and digital transformation. With over four years of experience in tech journalism and digital media, she is known for turning complex industry developments into clear, engaging, and insightful stories. Her expertise spans reporting, editorial strategy, digital publishing workflows, and in-depth coverage of emerging technologies shaping the future. She has also conducted high-profile interviews and podcasts with industry leaders, bringing sharp analysis and accessible storytelling to a wide audience.
