Amaravati to Anchor Andhra’s New AI Living Labs Initiative

The Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to establish the AI Living Labs Foundation , with its headquarters in Amaravati , marks the latest addition to the state’s sustained push into emerging technologies under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu . The not-for-profit entity is expected to build a statewide artificial intelligence ecosystem focused on applied learning, research and innovation. While the initiative fits into the government’s broader technology-driven narrative, sceptics argue that such announcements often carry a strong element of publicity, even as the underlying intent remains forward-looking.

According to official orders, the foundation will create and manage AI Living Labs across the state, offering shared GPU computing infrastructure , AI tools, curated datasets and sandbox environments to support workforce skilling. It will also coordinate certification pathways, curriculum development and faculty training under a hub-and-spoke model aimed at students, researchers, startups, MSMEs and government departments. However, the concept of what makes these labs “living” remains vaguely defined, raising questions about how they will function differently from existing innovation or skilling centres.

The AI Living Labs initiative aligns with Andhra Pradesh’s stated goal of inclusive digital growth and its ambition of ensuring one AI-trained individual per family. It also complements the state’s earlier technology bets, including a significant focus on quantum computing . The Amaravati Quantum Valley project, envisioned as India’s first integrated quantum ecosystem, was widely welcomed for its ambition and global outlook, with plans to train thousands of students annually in advanced technologies.

Yet, a recurring concern persists over outcomes. While lakhs of students have enrolled in various skilling programmes over the years, including those linked to emerging technologies, there is limited public data on how many translated into industry-ready professionals, jobs or viable startups. Observers argue that without transparent metrics on placements, research outputs and enterprise creation, large-scale initiatives risk remaining aspirational rather than transformative.

As Andhra Pradesh continues to position itself as a technology hub, the success of the AI Living Labs Foundation will ultimately depend on execution rather than announcements. The real test will lie in measurable outcomes whether students acquire usable skills, whether research leads to deployable solutions, and whether innovation ecosystems take root beyond policy documents. Until then, the initiative stands at the intersection of promise and perception, with results, not rhetoric, set to define its legacy.