Lokesh Proposes Microsoft Experience Zone Or Technology Station in AP
Aim, he says, is to “discover and coordinate Generative AI-based solutions”
VIJAYAWADA: Education and IT minister Nara Lokesh, during his ongoing Singapore visit, proposed the establishment of a Microsoft Experience Zone or Technology Station in Andhra Pradesh. He said the aim is to “discover and coordinate Generative AI-based solutions.
The minister, during the discussions there on the fourth day of the AP team’s visit to the island nation, advocated hosting a hackathon under the Microsoft Experience Centre’s guidance in 2026 at the Amaravati Quantum Valley Tech Park, utilising Azure OpenAI Services and Microsoft Copilot to explore innovative solutions. He promised all necessary facilities from the state government.
With the aim of harnessing technological advancements for development of Andhra Pradesh, Lokesh, along with a team of officials from AP, visited the Microsoft Experience Centre located on Cecil Street, Singapore on Wednesday. The team explored various AI applications across multiple industries, including healthcare, manufacturing and consumer sectors through the AI Go Store.
Representatives from Microsoft highlighted the uniqueness of the Experience Centre, emphasisng its role in providing joint support for retail and education for businesses, consumers and stakeholders alike.
They detailed the extensive services offered at the centre, including executive briefings, industry solution envisioning, innovation workshops, hands-on labs, and a focus on digital transformation pathways for clients. Notably, this centre has been leveraged by key Microsoft customers such as IBM and Dell for technology integration and transformation initiatives.
In addition, the AP team held discussions with notable figures, including Markus Loh, head of Microsoft government affairs; Jasmine Begum, head of Sela, and its CTO Mark Souz. The team tried to explore further collaborations and support for technological advancements in the state.
Lokesh emphasised that Andhra Pradesh is home to one of the largest pools of skilled IT professionals in India. Over 25 per cent of Indian IT labour in the US originated from the Telugu community. He proposed hosting a hackathon under the Microsoft Experience Centre’s guidance in 2026 at the Amaravati Quantum Valley Tech Park, utilising Azure OpenAI Services and Microsoft Copilot to explore innovative solutions.
The minister recommended leveraging the talent pool in AP to nurture a skilled IT workforce specialising in Generative AI, Hybrid Cloud and Microsoft products in partnership with the Microsoft Experience Centre.