IBM launches AI innovation centre in Lucknow for public sector modernisation

Signs two MoUs with Uttar Pradesh government to develop scalable AI use cases.

IBM has launched an AI GovTech Innovation Centre in Lucknow to develop and scale artificial intelligence solutions for government departments.

The centre will focus on designing, validating and scaling trusted AI solutions to improve productivity, transparency and citizen service delivery.

It aims to build replicable models that government departments can adopt at scale.

The move comes as governments face rising citizen expectations, regulatory complexity and exponential data growth, making AI increasingly mission-critical to public sector performance.

The centre is inaugurated by Yogi Adityanath in the presence of Arvind Krishna, chairman, president and chief executive officer of IBM, along with Sandip Patel and Manindra Agrawal.

“The Lucknow centre brings together IBM’s global AI leadership and a strong local talent ecosystem, with proximity to leading engineering and academic institutions. Together, this enables us to translate AI ambition into measurable public impact,” said Krishna.

At the event, IBM signs two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to accelerate AI-led governance initiatives aligned with the state’s long-term development plans.

Under the collaboration with the Department of IT & Electronics, the centre will develop high-impact AI use cases while strengthening digital and AI readiness across government departments.

IBM’s Lucknow campus houses a Software Lab that contributes to its global software portfolio and an IBM Consulting FutureNow Centre that enables regional talent to deliver transformation projects for clients worldwide.

The company is also collaborating with Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur to co-create scalable solutions in priority areas.

In July 2025, IBM joined hands with the Airawat Research Foundation, the Centre of Excellence in AI for Sustainable Cities at IIT Kanpur, to deploy AI-powered solutions aimed at monitoring and improving air quality.

With the launch of the Lucknow centre, IBM expands its public sector AI footprint in India and strengthens its focus on building scalable, trusted AI systems for governance.