Uttar Pradesh is striving to become a global leader in AI and IT, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India’s dominance in artificial intelligence. The “UP AI Synergy Conclave 2025,” held at Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh, marked a significant step toward this ambition by uniting key stakeholders including policymakers, industry giants, AI specialists, and academia.
The event featured prominent speakers such as UP Minister Kapil Dev Aggarwal, Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu, and over 30 influential CEOs and AI experts. Among them were Varun Agarwal, Founder of Change Engine; Dr. Shailesh Kumar, Chief Data Scientist at Reliance Jio; Dr. Abhilasha Gaur, CEO of Nasscom; Maya Sherman, AI Expert at GPAI; and Rishabh Nag, Co-founder of Humanli.AI, to name a few.
Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh also entered into multiple MoUs with leading tech companies aimed at enhancing student training, improving campus placement, and fostering collaboration with the industry. The university’s forward-thinking approach was commended by experts, who praised its effort to integrate industry perspectives into its academic structure before launching its first academic batch in 2025-26.
The conclave's core objective was to bridge the gap between education and industry, equipping students with the skills necessary for AI-driven careers. Industry leaders stressed that these collaborations would be pivotal in shaping a generation of professionals through curriculum enhancements, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. By positioning itself as a leader in AI education, Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh is set to become a cornerstone of India’s AI future.
During the conclave, UP Minister Kapil Dev Aggarwal highlighted the ?2500 crore investment in Chandigarh University Lucknow, a move that will provide substantial opportunities for students in Uttar Pradesh. He reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s global vision of positioning India as a leader in AI, referencing the Prime Minister’s significant engagements in AI at international summits in France and the US.
Minister Aggarwal lauded India’s resilience in overcoming challenges such as terrorism and poverty and emphasized the importance of bold thinking in achieving national growth. He shared that the state government is collaborating with Tata to advance skill development and ensure that Uttar Pradesh's workforce is AI-ready. Furthermore, a sprawling AI hub is under development in Lucknow, spanning 170 acres, aimed at accelerating technological progress.
The Minister stressed that for India to become a $5 trillion economy, it must nurture a skilled workforce, not just job seekers, but job creators. He acknowledged the role of Chandigarh University Lucknow in enabling this transition, empowering students with the skills they need to drive the AI revolution.
Chandigarh University’s Chancellor, Satnam Singh Sandhu, also addressed the conclave, discussing India’s growing global stature. He pointed out the remarkable success of the Mahakumbh Mela, which saw 40 crore visitors, showcasing India's cultural and organizational capabilities. He also pledged that AI-powered solutions would be deployed in future national events, with Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh leading the charge.
Sandhu expressed gratitude to Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for supporting AI development in the state, noting the strategic investment in AI by India and Uttar Pradesh. He also commended Prime Minister Modi for his global AI leadership, citing India’s active participation in AI forums and its hosting of the Global AI Summit. Sandhu outlined the role of Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh in shaping the future of AI-integrated education and preparing students for an AI-driven future.
Varun Agarwal, Founder of Change Engine, addressed the need for India to stay ahead in the AI race. Agarwal warned against merely replicating existing AI models, such as ChatGPT, which suffer from issues like hallucination and high energy consumption. He called for India to focus on next-generation AI technologies to maintain a competitive edge over AI leaders like China and the US.
He praised Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh for its efforts to integrate AI into its education system, preparing students for the future by providing hands-on experience and knowledge of cutting-edge technologies. Agarwal also acknowledged India’s digital triumphs, including UPI, and urged the government to adopt AI in governance to further enhance India’s technological infrastructure.
Maya Sherman, a renowned AI policy expert, highlighted India’s emerging leadership in responsible AI. She commended the nation’s efforts in driving AI policies through its G-20 presidency and the chairmanship of the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI). Sherman emphasized the importance of India’s startup ecosystem and its evolving AI regulations, which are creating a fertile ground for AI innovation.
Sherman praised Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh for being a pioneer in AI-augmented education. The university’s AI-integrated campus, she noted, will provide students with the necessary skills and exposure to thrive in an AI-driven world. She concluded by calling the conclave a key event that would help shape the future of AI in India and beyond.
Abhilasha Gaur, CEO of NASSCOM’s IT-ITeS sector skill council, discussed India’s prospects as a global workforce leader by 2047. India’s growing dominance in IT and AI, she noted, will make it the second-largest workforce globally, just behind the U.S. She emphasized the critical role that universities like Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh play in aligning education with industry needs.
Gaur praised the university’s proactive industry collaborations, which will ensure that students receive relevant education and hands-on experience in AI, preparing them for the rapidly evolving job market.
Jai Inder Singh Sandhu, Managing Director of Chandigarh University, discussed the significant impact of the MoUs signed with tech companies at the AI Conclave 2025. He highlighted that these partnerships will foster a strong education-industry connection, providing students with AI skill development, placement opportunities, hands-on training, and real-world experiences.
These collaborations will facilitate AI-focused technology transfer, the establishment of tech labs, workshops, and curriculum enhancements, all aimed at equipping students with the necessary skills for an AI-driven future. Sandhu emphasized that through these initiatives, Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh will ensure its students gain industry-relevant expertise and mentorship from leading professionals, preparing them for the global workforce.
Manoj Joshi, Advisor at Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh, expressed confidence that Lucknow would become the center of India’s AI revolution. He emphasized the role of Chandigarh University in bringing this vision to life, positioning AI as a crucial element of India’s technological future.
Joshi concluded by noting that AI’s transformative potential in education would shape the future of India’s workforce, bringing the country closer to its goal of becoming a global leader in technology.
The UP AI Synergy Conclave 2025 served as a crucial moment in India’s journey to becoming a global AI leader. With input from key stakeholders, the conclave showcased the role of AI education in shaping India’s future workforce. Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh has positioned itself at the forefront of this transformation, preparing students to lead in an AI-driven world and ensuring India’s place as a global workforce leader in the coming decades.
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