Nazara Technologies partners Telangana government to launch AI centre of excellence

Nazara plans to integrate AI and emerging technologies across its portfolio of businesses.

Nazara Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Telangana government for an artificial intelligence centre of excellence focused on gaming and digital entertainment, the company said on September 5.

This move comes as the country's first-publicly listed diversified gaming and sports media firm looks to integrate AI and emerging technologies across its portfolio of businesses.

The AI centre will drive research, development, and innovation in areas such as gaming, interactive media and gamified learning, leveraging technologies such as AI, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), blockchain and Web 3.0.

In an earlier interview to Moneycontrol, Nazara Technologies founder Nitish Mittersain had said that these emerging technologies were an important focus area for the firm.

"Telangana’s proactive approach in fostering industry growth through public-private partnerships and policy development has created the ideal ecosystem for this initiative," Mittersain said in a statement.

Telangana's minister for Information Technology and Industries D Sridhar Babu said the partnership with Nazara Technologies is a significant step in positioning the state as a global leader in AI-driven digital innovation.

"The Nazara AI CoE will empower startups, enhance skills, and attract cutting-edge technology investments, creating a diverse and dynamic ecosystem. By joining forces with Nazara, we are committed to driving economic growth and setting new standards in responsible AI applications in gaming and beyond," he said.

Neighbouring Karnataka's IT-BT department has signed a memorandum of agreement with ABAI to establish the AVGC Centre of Excellence (CoE) 2.0 on July 31. This three-year partnership aims to advance the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics) sector with enhanced technology and facilities.

The development came as the Karnataka government unveiled operational guidelines for the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Policy 3.0 (2024-2029).