The Congress government is currently planning to set up a temporary AI City Facility Center to oversee the construction of AI City. Despite the availability of spacious and state-of-the-art buildings like T-Hub, T-Works, and IIIT, the Revanth government has opted to house this facility in an unfinished, private building. This decision has raised many eyebrows, especially since the completion date of the chosen structure remains uncertain.
From the beginning, the KCR government recognized the growing importance of artificial intelligence, leading to initiatives like the AI Global Summit-2024 held in Hyderabad. Following this, the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government also emphasized the significance of AI by deciding to establish AI City. To monitor and manage the activities and progress of AI City during its construction, the AI City Facility Center was proposed.
IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu announced that this center would occupy two lakh square feet in the World Trade Center (WTC) in Shamshabad. However, the surprise comes from the fact that the WTC is still under construction, with only two towers—each with three floors—completed so far. The entire project, which began in 2022, is expected to take another year to finish, leaving many questioning the government’s choice.
The Kapil Group, which is developing the WTC Shamshabad project near the Shamshabad Airport, had initially announced plans to invest Rs. 4,000 crore to build a 12-story complex over 50-60 acres. However, delays in construction have cast doubts on the timeline.
Despite this, the government has finalized an agreement to establish the AI City Facility Center in this unfinished space. While the details of the agreement are not public, many speculate whether the government will offer financial support to the group or why it chose this incomplete site over other available options.
Critics argue that the government could have set up the facility center in T-Hub, a highly successful tech hub created by the previous government. T-Hub hosts over 60 AI startups and has dedicated infrastructure to support AI-related ventures. The existing space in T-Hub, or in other public IT facilities like T-Works or IIIT, would have easily accommodated the AI City Facility Center.
Moreover, constructing a temporary building within AI City itself, which is spread over 200 acres, would have been feasible. Once the permanent infrastructure is completed, the temporary structure could have continued serving the project.
The decision to rent an unfinished private building has fueled speculation that there might be ulterior motives behind this move.