Telangana, Microsoft, Join Hands for Green Pharma AI Centre
Microsoft-backed CoE to train youth in AI and Green Pharma from August 2026
Hyderabad: Telangana on Thursday announced the establishment of a Green Skills and Applied AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) with a focus on Green Pharma, in partnership with Microsoft, 1M1B Foundation and MeitY Startup Hub.
The Centre, to be set up in Hyderabad and expected to be operational by August 2026, aims to equip youth with skills at the intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainable manufacturing and to support the state’s life sciences and green manufacturing sectors.
The vision and implementation roadmap were presented at the state Secretariat at a meeting chaired by IT and industries minister D. Sridhar Babu. The initiative aligns with the state’s Next-Generation Life Sciences Policy 2026-30 and the Green Pharma City strategy.
Officials said the Centre will support efforts to generate employment in the life sciences ecosystem by building an AI-enabled workforce. The meeting was attended by representatives from industry and government, including Rajiv Kumar of Microsoft India Development Centre, Manju Dhasmana of Microsoft, Manav Subodh of 1M1B Foundation and senior state officials.
Sridhar Babu said the initiative reflects the government’s focus on building a future-ready workforce to support growth in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.
Rajiv Kumar said, “AI is becoming the operating system for sustainable industries,” adding that integrating applied AI with green skills can improve productivity and support sustainable pharmaceutical operations. He said the Centre would help build a talent ecosystem for AI-powered Green Pharma.
Manav Subodh said the Centre would prepare youth to apply AI to sustainability challenges and support the state’s Green Pharma plans. “The defining challenge of the next decade is not building more powerful AI, but building millions of young people who can use AI to solve humanity’s greatest challenges,” he said.
The Centre is planned as a workforce development and innovation hub where learners will work on industry problems. It will include learning zones for applied AI, Green Pharma and renewable energy sectors, along with industry projects, internships, mentorship and incubation support.
The Hyderabad facility is among five centres planned nationwide under a joint initiative by 1M1B and Microsoft with MeitY Startup Hub, aimed at engaging 100,000 youth in applied AI and green skills by 2030 and creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
