CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Minister TRB Rajaa on Wednesday mentioned AI should ‘empower and never exclude’, stressing that the state’s aim is to democratise entry to AI whereas protecting laws versatile, human-centric, and up to date.
Addressing the inaugural session of a two-day conclave on Secure and Trusted AI, organised by the Indian Institute of Expertise Madras (IIT-M)’s Centre for Accountable AI, Rajaa mentioned the state authorities desires each citizen — together with rural employees, college students, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and individuals with disabilities — to learn from AI.
The Minister for Industries warned that any exclusion on the “final mile” would quantity to a collective failure.
“Each single individual ought to have the ability to entry AI,” the minister mentioned.
Calling Tamil Nadu a “data capital” contributing a major share of India’s higher-education establishments, Rajaa mentioned the state goals to turn into the nation’s AI hub.
“And a real product nation, shifting past its established strengths in manufacturing and companies into AI-driven product improvement and re‑engineering,” he added.
Rajaa, who additionally oversees the industries portfolio, underlined that MSMEs do the “laborious work” of innovation and speedy product improvement and due to this fact require sturdy AI help.
He urged each the Union authorities and trade to considerably enhance funding for analysis and improvement and supply researchers with a coverage “security web” that enables them to fail with out worry whereas constructing indigenous AI capabilities.
Rajaa mentioned AI presents “each a chance and a terrifying problem” for younger folks, particularly in gentle of the affect smartphones have had on youngsters.
“Earlier than we put this immensely potent energy within the fingers of younger minds, we have to spend money on strong mentoring, capacity-building, and safeguards,” he mentioned.
On regulation, the minister harassed that guidelines ought to act as enablers. “Moderately than suffocating innovation, we must be able to tweak insurance policies as wanted,” he added.
Describing AI security as a matter of nationwide safety, Rajaa expressed concern over India’s restricted high-end computing capability in contrast with international expertise leaders.
“Why ought to the nation be content material to export information and import AI options, when establishments in Tamil Nadu are able to constructing world-class methods if given satisfactory, decentralised R&D help?” he requested.
He additionally referred to as for better transparency round AI fashions in order that residents can perceive how methods are constructed and the information on which they’re educated.
“Any nationwide AI framework should be developed in session with all states, academia, civil society, and unbiased specialists. What works for Tamil Nadu might not be acceptable to states akin to Assam or Gujarat,” he added.
Talking on the occasion, Mohammed Y Safirulla, Director of India AI Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Data Expertise (MeitY), mentioned the conclave is being held in anticipation of the India–AI Influence Summit 2026, scheduled from February 15-20 in New Delhi.
Billed as the primary main international AI summit hosted within the International South, the summit goals to form the way forward for inclusive, accountable, and resilient AI.
“Hopefully, the discussions in the course of the conclave, by which specialists from Japan and Brazil are collaborating, will result in sturdy, actionable outcomes,” Safirulla mentioned.
V Kamakoti, Director of IIT-M, described the occasion as a high-level convening that brings collectively leaders from authorities, trade, academia, and the worldwide AI ecosystem, with a robust concentrate on AI security and governance for the International South.
Stating that many individuals use giant language fashions with out understanding how they work or the related dangers, Kamakoti harassed the necessity to educate the workforce on the accountable use of AI.
“To facilitate this, over 700 AI-related occasions are deliberate throughout India, many in Tamil Nadu. Hopefully, these will result in efficient selections, a robust protecting framework, and mitigation of AI’s potential unfavourable impacts,” he mentioned.
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