Uttar Pradesh's first AI city? Yogi govt's big bet on Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath (Courtesy: PTI photo)

Uttar Pradesh is set to take a major leap in its digital transformation journey with the proposed Artificial Intelligence City in Lucknow, an ambitious project aimed at positioning the state among the world’s leading technology hubs. Backed by an investment of Rs 10,752 crore, the project reflects Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s push to integrate innovation, sustainability and economic growth.

The AI City, planned over more than 70 acres, is being developed as a next-generation technology ecosystem under the Public Private Partnership model. Officials said the project is designed to support Uttar Pradesh’s target of becoming a one trillion dollar economy in the coming years, with artificial intelligence and IT-enabled services identified as key growth drivers.

Principal Secretary, IT and AI, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Anurag Yadav told Moneycontrol that the vision goes beyond infrastructure. “Lucknow should be on the postcard of AI,” he said, underlining the ambition to place the state capital on the global technology map.

A defining feature of the project is its commitment to operate entirely on green energy. The AI City will rely on renewable sources such as solar power and green hydrogen to meet its energy needs, reducing dependence on conventional power and addressing the rising carbon footprint of data centres and high-performance computing infrastructure. The move is expected to ensure long-term energy security while aligning with national clean energy and decarbonisation goals.

The project will be developed in two phases. Around 60 percent of the area will be dedicated to a core technology zone comprising AI innovation centres, research labs, data centres and technology parks. The remaining 40 percent will include residential, commercial and social infrastructure, creating a self-sustained urban ecosystem for professionals and businesses.

Officials said the AI City will feature advanced data centres, high-performance computing systems, startup incubation hubs and modern workspaces designed to attract both Indian and global technology companies. “The state government aims to place Lucknow among the top 20 global AI hubs through this initiative,” official said.

The project is also expected to focus on key sectors such as healthcare, robotics and data analytics, encouraging the development of AI-driven solutions in diagnostics and automation. Industry experts believe that building such infrastructure on renewable energy will enhance the project’s appeal among global investors, who are increasingly prioritising sustainability in digital infrastructure.

Lucknow’s existing academic ecosystem is seen as a major advantage. Institutions such as Indian Institute of Management Lucknow and Indian Institute of Information Technology Lucknow are expected to play a key role in research collaboration, innovation and skill development. The AI City is likely to work closely with these institutions to create a strong talent pipeline in emerging technologies.

The initiative is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities for IT professionals, engineers, data scientists and researchers. It is also likely to provide a major boost to the startup ecosystem by offering incubation support and access to cutting-edge infrastructure.

Highlighting the sector’s growing presence, Anurag Yadav said artificial intelligence is already emerging as a major driver of growth in the state. “AI is a big ticket player in Uttar Pradesh and already has footprints across sectors including healthcare,” he said.

Officials said the project aligns with the broader vision of “Viksit UP 2047” and reflects a growing trend of integrating sustainability into large-scale infrastructure planning from the design stage. By combining clean energy with advanced digital capabilities, the proposed AI City is being projected as a model for future smart and technology-driven urban developments in India.

With this initiative, Uttar Pradesh is positioning itself as a competitive destination for technology investment while reinforcing its commitment to environmentally responsible growth.