India's first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Communication Centre was launched in Hyderabad by the IT and EC secretary, Jayesh Ranjan. The centre, known as The HexArt Institute, is sponsored by the Hexagon Capability Center India (HCCI), the Indian subsidiary of the technology major Hexagon AB as their contribution to societal responsibility initiative. Hexagon AB is a global leader of Swedish origin in sensor, software and autonomous solutions.

The institute has the state-of-the-art infrastructure, IT hardware and software worth Rs 64 lakh that will complement thoroughly designed fundamental and advanced-level curriculums that are suitable for students starting from class 12 up to engineering graduates of advanced levels. The centre aims to democratise AI knowledge and skill amongst the masses by providing free training on AI to the community.

While inaugurating the centre, Jayesh Ranjan said: "2020 is commemorated in Telangana as the year of AI and it will be a key focus for the coming year and beyond.” He also spoke about the state's need and focus on preparing a future workforce for emerging technologies. "It is critical that we build a strong talent pool and AI is going to play a key role”, Ranjan said.

Announcing the opening of the institute, Navaneet Mishra, VP and GM, HCCI, said, “The goal of the AI community centre is to empower and up-skill the next generation of youths with AI skills. We need to make AI pervasive to compete and succeed in today’s world.”