SRM University-AP hosts quantum, AI workshop for AP tech vision

The Quantum & AI Innovation Centre (QAIC) workshop was held on Monday at SRM University-AP’s Amaravati campus, organised by the Amaravati Quantum Valley, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and hosted by the university, under the theme “Mentor Mapping, Use Case Allocation, and QIC Team Formation”.

The proceedings brought together senior academic leadership and Government functionaries in a day devoted to mapping mentors to emerging quantum use cases and to giving shape to the State’s quantum innovation cells.

Presiding over an occasion of considerable institutional significance, Sri Pradyumna PS, IAS, secretary to the Chief Minister, lent the workshop its most consequential address, underscoring the importance the State Government attaches to the university’s quantum ambitions.

Professor CH Satish Kumar, vice chancellor of SRM University-AP, opened the proceedings with remarks on the university’s institutional journey, tracing the path that had brought SRM University-AP to this juncture, and outlined the university’s forthcoming plans to advance quantum technology initiatives across the campus, signalling a sustained institutional commitment to the discipline in the years ahead.

Delivering the inaugural keynote, Professor GP Raja Sekhar, vice chancellor of Andhra University, framed the workshop as part of a wider effort to redefine technology, offering young people the chance not merely to participate but to innovate, and urged that students be asked not what job they wish to do, but what problem they wish to solve. Sri CV Sridhar, mission director of the AP State Quantum Mission, Government of Andhra Pradesh, commended SRM University-AP for the initiative, noting that the workshop advanced the Mission’s vision on design, products and R&D; talents and jobs; and industry partnership.

Following this, Sri Pradyumna PS, IAS, Secretary to the Chief Minister, spoke on behalf of the Chief Minister’s vision for the State. He noted that technology was changing rapidly, threatening jobs rather than people, and pointed to a future where work becomes optional. He urged the audience to embrace change, affirming that Andhra Pradesh would root R&D and global trade under Make in India, and that AI and humanity are not adversaries.

For SRM University-AP, the workshop marked a further step in aligning its academic mission with the State’s quantum agenda, bringing mentors, use cases and Quantum Innovation Cells into closer alignment under the framework set out over the course of the day.