Industries Minister P Rajeev announced that Kerala will host the first international Gen AI conclave. While presenting the Special Recognition for Business Investment Promotion Award to IBM senior vice-president Dinesh Nirmal in Kochi, the minister said the conclave will be held at Grand Hyatt on July 11 and 12.

The minister said, “It will be India’s first international Gen AI conclave. The state government and IBM will jointly host it with the Digital University, Cusat and the Kerala Technological University. As many as 1,000 delegates will attend, and the registration process will start in April. A state-level hackathon will be organised for students ahead of the conclave.”

He further said the state will organise an international robotics roundtable in August. Kochi will host both programmes. While elaborating on the steps taken by the government to enhance the infrastructure facilities, the minister said the government is trying to position Kerala as a leader in the knowledge-based industry and high-tech manufacturing sector.

IBM senior vice-president Dinesh Nirmal said Kerala is witnessing a ‘reverse brain drain’ as people who migrated to foreign countries in search of opportunities are coming back because of the high-paying jobs created in the tech industry in the state. “Every person returning to the state contributes to the economy as they spend money on services. The Gen AI Industry in Kerala has brought a change as customers are coming to see the products being made here,” said Dinesh Nirmal.