Hyderabad: Positioning Telangana at the centre of the global AI debate, chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday called for a new policy framework to address the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, even as he pitched the state as a future hub for AI-driven growth.Speaking virtually at an AI symposium organised by the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, Revanth said Telangana is exploring partnerships with leading global universities, including Harvard, to reskill people who may lose tech and other white-collar jobs due to AI. “AI is easily mankind’s greatest invention, but it is a double-edged sword. Unless precautions are taken early on, the negative can easily dominate. In addition to working on creating blue-collar jobs which the AI cannot replace and reskilling of people, the Telangana govt will prepare to take advantage of AI,” he said. Flagging concerns over job losses, the CM proposed a novel policy idea — taxing AI firms to compensate those affected. “We will also try to create policies similar to pollution – where polluting industries have to pay for carbon credits – we will try to make laws so AI firms can be taxed for people credits. It is only fair for our companies with trillions of dollars of valuation to compensate people and society whose jobs are lost,” he said. He said that AI is likely to reduce entry-level hiring while boosting productivity. “Entry-level jobs, and the total number of people big firms will hire and employ, will come down. But the total production of the company will increase. Higher productivity can be achieved with a lesser workforce,” he said.Highlighting the stakes for Hyderabad, the CM said: “The question arises for leaders like me – what do I do? My capital city of Hyderabad is a knowledge hub, a hub for global capability centres (GCCs) in software, pharma, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, aerospace, defence, retail. My city depends on the success of a large number of white-collar jobs.” Revanth outlined plans for a dedicated AI ecosystem under the Bharat Future City project, including an AI City to host GCCs and data infrastructure powered by green energy. He said the state is also focusing on manufacturing under a China+1 strategy and building a large skilling ecosystem. “I plan to build my city to maximise AI potential for the world using my excellent human resources and infrastructure. I am also going on a war-footing in scaling up industries like global tourism, sustainability, green energy, electric vehicles, and infrastructure to create blue-collar jobs that AI can’t replace. We are scaling up our connectivity and transportation network along with green energy to ensure our economic growth is not hampered,” the CM said.Inviting global investors, he added: “We will ensure great reward for your trust and investment. We are already home to over 100 of the Fortune 500 companies. I am sure the rest will join soon. Finally, I pay my respect to all great minds who have shaped the development of AI. They are going to change our lives. Let us ensure it is positive, fair and beneficial to all people. I am confident this symposium will create such a model for the world to govern AI, make it ethical and responsible.”
