IBM and the Gujarat government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a dedicated AI cluster in the Gujarat International Finance and Technology (GIFT) City.
The collaboration aims to accelerate AI adoption and innovation in the financial sector by leveraging IBM's cutting-edge AI platform, watsonx.
“This MoU with IBM will help Gujarat lead the country in adopting AI and driving digital transformation,” Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabai Patel said.
Through this strategic partnership, financial institutions operating within GIFT City will have access to a comprehensive suite of AI resources, including:
AI Sandbox: A dedicated environment for experimenting and customizing large-scale language AI models to address the specific needs of the finance industry.
Proof of concept assistance: We help financial institutions develop and test AI-powered solutions tailored to their unique requirements.
AI Literacy Program: A specialized training and certification program aimed at equipping professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the AI-driven finance industry.
Digital Assistant Solutions: We help you develop and deploy AI-powered digital assistants that can streamline operations and improve customer experiences.
“Leveraging AI in business is a strategic priority for enterprises today to gain competitive advantage through improved productivity, innovation and customer experience,” said Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India and South Asia.
He further added, “This collaboration marks an important step in our ongoing collaboration with the Government of Gujarat to accelerate the state's digital transformation. With the establishment of this AI cluster, our aim is to provide easy access to the latest AI solutions to GIFT City's vibrant and growing number of financial institutions.”
The initiative is in line with IBM's broader efforts to accelerate AI skills development globally: the tech giant aims to train two million learners in AI by the end of 2026, and has committed to upskilling 30 million people worldwide by 2030.
As part of the partnership, IBM will also develop a dedicated AI curriculum for educational institutions across Gujarat, ensuring a future-proof talent pipeline that can contribute to the state's AI-powered economy.
