Lokesh invites Amazon, other global tech giants to invest in AP

By The Capital

On 30 Oct 2024 15:21:54

Minister IT, Electronics and HRD, Nara Lokesh, held strategic discussions with top executives from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Revacher, and Salesforce AI, urging them to explore investment avenues…

Minister IT, Electronics and HRD, Nara Lokesh, held strategic discussions with top executives from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Revacher, and Salesforce AI, urging them to explore investment avenues in Andhra Pradesh. Speaking to AWS managing director Rachel Schaff, Revacher CEO Ashwin Bharat, and Salesforce AI CEO Clara Shih, Lokesh emphasized Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to digital transformation and highlighted the state’s robust green energy and cloud infrastructure plans.

Rachel Schaff revealed that AWS is prioritizing innovations in AI, ML, and cloud infrastructure, aiming to advance enterprise solutions and digital transformation on a global scale. “Our role in delivering cutting-edge digital services to governments and major industries is expanding,” Schaff noted, citing the company’s leadership in cloud services, with an anticipated annual revenue of $100 billion by 2024. AWS, the world’s largest cloud service provider, controls 32% of the global market and collaborates with industry giants like Netflix, Airbnb, and 3M.

Pioneering cloud-based smart governance in AP

Lokesh expressed his confidence that AWS could drive Andhra Pradesh’s digital governance initiatives, underscoring the role of cloud services in smart city projects, public service systems, and e-governance. “AWS’s green-powered cloud data centers align perfectly with Andhra Pradesh’s renewable energy vision, targeting 72 GW by 2030,” Lokesh stated. Schaff responded affirmatively, promising AWS’s consideration of Andhra Pradesh as a potential site for its next data center.

Nurturing tech talent with Revacher

At the IT Serve Synergy Summit, Lokesh also met Revacher CEO Ashwin Bharat, proposing a tech talent center to upskill Andhra Pradesh’s youth in software development and critical IT fields. Lokesh emphasized the state’s focus on tech-based skill programs, urging Revacher to collaborate with Andhra Pradesh’s universities to offer coding boot camps and nurture a tech workforce for local startups and MSMEs. Bharat committed to exploring initiatives that could boost digital transformation and foster skilled talent for the state’s e-governance and smart city projects.

Driving AI-enhanced governance with Salesforce

In a meeting with Salesforce AI CEO Clara Shih, Lokesh advocated for the introduction of AI skilling programs in Andhra Pradesh. “Our goal is to create an AI-driven economy,” Lokesh explained, emphasizing that Salesforce’s AI tools and mentorship could greatly benefit local startups and further develop the state’s tech ecosystem. Lokesh also sought the implementation of Salesforce’s Einstein AI for optimized CRM within government services, enhancing public engagement and service delivery through analytics and automation.

Shih was receptive, agreeing to consider collaboration opportunities in traffic management, public safety, and urban planning within Andhra Pradesh’s smart city initiatives.

Rounding off his engagements, Lokesh also conferred with former PepsiCo Chairman & CEO Indra Nooyi, further reinforcing Andhra Pradesh’s drive for tech-based development on the global stage.