Hyderabad: Telangana IT and industries minister D. Sridhar Babu on Saturday said the state government was planning to establish a centre of excellence for quantum computing in collaboration with leading technology companies and experts as part of its efforts to position Telangana as a global hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.
Speaking at DevFest 2026 organised by Google Developer Group (GDG) Hyderabad on Saturday, the minister said the government was working towards strengthening the state's technology ecosystem by encouraging innovation, supporting start-ups and developing advanced infrastructure.
“As Telangana works towards becoming a global AI hub, we want our young innovators to be at the centre of that journey. We have the talent and ambition; our focus is on building an ecosystem where young people can turn their ideas into solutions and take them to the world,” the minister said.
The next big breakthrough in AI could come from a student, a start-up or a young developer, and we want Telangana to be the place where those ideas get the opportunity to grow, he added.
A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of Telangana’s AI Minister, the first pre-AGI avatar of IT minister D. Sridhar Babu, marking its first-ever live on-stage launch.
Highlighting Telangana's growth in the IT sector, the minister said the state's IT exports had crossed Rs 3.1 lakh crore and around 150 global capability centres (GCCs) over the past two years. The sector had generated around 1.5 lakh direct jobs and 4.5 lakh indirect employment opportunities in the state, he added.
Emphasising the importance of adapting to emerging technologies, Sridhar Babu said artificial intelligence (AI) was transforming industries, business operations and employment patterns. He stressed the need for continuous reskilling and upskilling to ensure that professionals remained competitive in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
The minister said the state government was focusing on developing an AI innovation ecosystem where students, researchers, startups and established technology companies could collaborate to develop practical solutions to real-world problems.
"Our ambition is not just to attract technology," he said, adding that the government wanted to create an environment where young innovators could transform their ideas into products and startups into globally successful enterprises.
Sridhar Babu said the government was committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, policy support and opportunities for young entrepreneurs without creating unnecessary obstacles to innovation.
"Our job is to give you the runway to take off," he said, emphasising that the government's role was to facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship.
The minister also encouraged young developers to use artificial intelligence to address challenges in urban administration, healthcare, education and other sectors.
Referring to the ‘AI for My City’ challenge by the Telangana government, he urged developers and students to explore AI-based solutions to problems faced by Hyderabad and other urban areas.