HYDERABAD: Stating that Telangana is determined to position itself as a global digital and innovation hub, IT Minister D Sridhar Babu on Thursday invited the UAE to be a vital partner in the state’s ambitious growth plan.
During a meeting with UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama in Dubai, Sridhar Babu highlighted Telangana’s vision to emerge as the world’s AI capital through projects such as AI City, AI University and AI Innovation Hub. He also showcased India’s first AI-driven Telangana Data Exchange (TGDeX) and its transformative impact across healthcare, education, agriculture and governance.
He urged Al Olama to consider establishing a joint AI R&D centre in Hyderabad.
“Telangana is India’s fourth-largest UPI economy, with digital transactions worth Rs 1.26 lakh crore recorded by July 2025. Our FinTech Sandbox is fostering innovation in payments, blockchain, and digital commerce. In this context, Hyderabad offers the most strategic entry point for UAE digital economy enterprises into India,” Sridhar Babu explained.
He requested the UAE companies to explore the possibility of establishing Nano-Global Capability Centres (Nano-GCCs) and Digital Hubs in Telangana, leveraging the state’s world-class infrastructure, talent pool and policy framework.
Joint AI & Startup Summit
Sridhar Babu underlined significant opportunities for UAE sovereign funds and venture capital firms to invest in Deep-Tech and AI startups. He proposed a joint AI & Startup Summit between Telangana and the UAE to strengthen innovation ecosystems.
He also invited UAE firms to participate in Future City projects with investments in smart mobility, logistics, green energy, housing, and e-governance. To strengthen talent collaboration, he proposed setting up a Telangana–UAE Future Skills Academy in Gaming and Digital Technologies.
Lauding Telangana’s bold initiatives to transform into a Global Digital and Innovation Hub, Al Olama expressed the UAE’s readiness for collaboration in AI, digital economy, cloud computing, quantum computing, cyber security and gaming.
The UAE minister also shared details of the Gulf nation’s flagship ‘Stargate’ Project, an AI-driven $100 billion initiative, and expressed his desire for Telangana to become a key partner.
Al Olama confirmed that Telangana-based companies would be invited to the upcoming FinTech Startups Summit in the UAE.
