Lucknow Eyed as Next Big AI Hub by UP Government

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced plans to build Lucknow into a top artificial intelligence city, promising support for 50 AI-focused startups over the next five years. Speaking at the tenth anniversary of the HCLTech campus in Lucknow, he urged the IT company to partner with the state in growing this technology ecosystem. The government will help these new businesses set up, grow, and reach global markets.

Tech Growth and Exports

Adityanath stated that the state now drives nearly 55 percent of mobile phone manufacturing and 60 percent of electronic components in India. IT and IT-enabled service exports crossed one lakh crore rupees, up from twelve to fifteen thousand crore rupees a decade ago, with a new target of two and a half lakh crore rupees in four years. Electronics exports jumped from thirty-eight hundred crore rupees to forty-five thousand crore rupees, aiming for two lakh crore rupees by the year 2030. Seven software technology parks are already running, and new IT parks are coming up in cities like Varanasi, Bareilly, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur.

Changing Job Markets

Adityanath noted that young people from the state no longer need to move to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, or Hyderabad for work because jobs are now available locally. He praised HCL for its role in the region and mentioned that founder Shiv Nadar started his journey in the state nearly fifty years ago. HCLTech Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra called Uttar Pradesh the home and workplace of the HCL Group, expressing strong faith in the local talent.

Context

State governments across India are actively trying to expand the technology sector beyond traditional tech capitals like Bengaluru and Hyderabad to smaller cities. Uttar Pradesh has focused heavily on improving road connectivity, such as the major highway link from Ballia to Bijnor, to attract large companies and boost regional trade.