Hyderabad is not just a metropolitan, it's an emotion for many. And the people who love the city are not only its own residents but most of the Indians. The city is popular for pearls (The love of all the women out there), the food, the weather and not to forget the Charminar. The city is the second-largest in India in terms of total area and is inarguable an IT hub. 

What Makes Hyderabad Popular? 

• Connectivity- Hyderabad is strongly connected to all major cities of the country owing to its presence in the centre, i.e., 500 km from the geographical centre of the country 
• Culture- Hyderabad being multicultural, multilingual is all in all a cosmopolitan city, which makes it ideal for people from any state to settle in here easily and at a relatively low cost of living. 
• Climate- Hyderabad offers a moderate climate with no harsh summers or freezing winters. 
• Commerce- All the other advantageous features make it perfect for commerce, especially IT. 
• Infrastructure- There is the availability of good infrastructure and good prospects of betterment with no seashore issues or state border issues. 

Looking at the immense potential Hyderabad holds, the Telangana Govt has initiated 'Hi-Fi' to make Hyderabad the first Wi-Fi-enabled city. This initiative aims to improve the stature of an IT export hub and is working on enhancing security, developing new citizens' centric mobile applications, promoting business and commercial activities of the city, and ensuring internet connectivity in the city. 

Some Smart Initiatives by the Telangana government are: 

• Smart mobility – HTRIMS, Hyderabad; Bangalore 
• Bicycle sharing program, Trivandrum 
• Bus information system over mobile 
• Water efficiency through SCADA – Pimpri Chinchwad 
• Building approval system – AUTO DCR – about 30 cities 
• Integration of services and governance – Hyderabad 
• Smart toilets – sensor-based community toilets –Trivandrum 
• Automatic meter reading – Mumbai, Hyderabad 
• Solid waste information system - GHMC 

The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIITH) has set up a Smart City Research Center (SCRC) with support from MEITY (Government of India), Smart City Mission, and the Government of Telangana. 

The government is keen on digital governance and the expansion of video surveillance. AI-based solutions are the key to this project. Facial recognition is one such aspect that will have its relevance in various issues in making Hyderabad a Hi-tech smart city that is safe and sustainable too. 

Some of the areas where facial recognition can be a game-changer include: 

• Screening at public places or restricted entry zones 
• Traffic monitoring and checking in special or high alert scenarios 
• E-challans can also move a step ahead with facial or vehicle number screenings 
• Voting can become efficient and less vulnerable with Facial identification 
• LPG for all or free ration schemes by the government can be effectively executed 
• Easy data Cole tin though these ways can help authorities with policy and decision making 
• Pension disbursal and other related services for senior citizens can get more convenient with FR 
• Medical services in the city can also leap forward with FR 

Telangana announced 2020 as the 'Year of AI' and plans to establish Hyderabad amongst the top 25 global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Hubs. As a part of this ambitious plan, several MoUs had been signed to foster innovation. The State government, in association with Intel, IIIT Hyderabad and Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), is planning to set up a Centre for Research in Applied AI (CriAA), which aims to make a major impact in domains such as mobility, healthcare and smart cities. 

Major Tech giants Intel, Adobe, Tech Mahindra, Nvidia, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), and IITs of Kharagpur and Hyderabad are all set to assist the government in these initiatives. The government is also encouraging startups and entrepreneurs in building AI-based ecosystems that will regulate the city affairs. 

The Tata Consultancy Services has announced that it will make investments in the AI domain in Hyderabad. 

Such enthusiasm, coupled with many young entrepreneurs putting efforts in terms of innovative technological solutions, is going to make this plan a success. It is no longer just a government mission; instead, it is a combined effort of public and private sectors, and various industries are also doing their bit to produce a healthier, safer, and sustainable Hyderabad.