Telangana’s approach to artificial intelligence in governance is anchored in a simple but powerful belief: public data, when responsibly opened and combined with access to modern computing resources, can unlock innovation far beyond the government itself.

At the heart of this vision lies the Telangana Data Exchange (TGDEX), a platform designed to act as a true data marketplace, connecting government datasets with startups, researchers, private enterprises, and innovators who can transform data into solutions that create real-world impact.

Building an Open and Accessible AI Ecosystem

The Government of Telangana has accumulated vast volumes of data over the years, much of it already available through the state’s Open Data Portal. This data is now integrated with TGDEX, ensuring that datasets are freely accessible to anyone willing to build on them, particularly startups and emerging technology players.

Access, however, goes beyond data alone. Recognising that compute remains a critical bottleneck for AI innovation, the state has also enabled sandbox access to GPU resources as part of the TGDEX framework. This ensures that innovators are not constrained by infrastructure limitations while experimenting, training, or deploying AI models.

Together, open data and shared compute form the foundation of an ecosystem where ideas, not capital, become the primary driver of innovation.

From Data to Impact

To translate this ecosystem into measurable outcomes, Telangana has adopted a Grand Challenge approach. The first such challenge has already been completed, resulting in the identification and development of six priority use cases. These are publicly available through the TGDEX platform, allowing wider participation, learning, and iteration.

The next phase will significantly expand this effort. New use cases, both within and beyond government functions, are being identified. While some applications directly strengthen governance, many are designed to deliver value to citizens outside formal government systems, demonstrating how public data can generate private and social value simultaneously.

A True Data Exchange, Not Just a Government Repository

A defining feature of Telangana’s vision is that TGDEX is not limited to government data alone. Over time, datasets from non-government sources will also be integrated, creating a federated exchange where multiple stakeholders contribute and benefit.

Once data, government and non- government alike, is plugged into the exchange, it becomes discoverable and usable within a controlled, responsible framework. Combined with compute access in the sandbox environment, TGDEX removes two of the biggest barriers to AI adoption: data availability and infrastructure access.

This enables startups, enterprises, and research institutions to independently develop AI solutions, while the government, in parallel, focuses on identifying high-impact governance use cases.

Institutional Collaboration and Use- Case Discovery

To systematically identify AI opportunities within government, Telangana conducted cross-departmental workshops in collaboration with the Vatmani Foundation. These sessions resulted in the identification of 30–35 potential AI use cases across departments, ranging from service delivery optimisation to decision-support systems.

The state is now in the process of filtering these proposals to select the most impactful ones for the next TGDEX Grand Challenge, ensuring that innovation efforts remain focused, outcome-oriented, and aligned with governance priorities.

Extending Digital Services Through Conversational Platforms

Alongside data and AI infrastructure, Telangana continues to simplify citizen interaction with the government. One such initiative is WhatsApp MeeSeva, which brings essential public services onto a conversational platform already used daily by citizens. This reflects the broader philosophy that technology adoption succeeds when it meets citizens where they are, rather than requiring them to adapt to complex systems.

A National Message on AI-Enabled Governance

If Telangana’s approach to AI-enabled governance were to be distilled into a single message for a national audience, it would rest on three pillars:

1. Making government data openly and responsibly accessible
2. Providing startups and private players access to critical resources like compute
3. Creating a neutral, scalable data exchange platform that enables collaboration across sectors

While these are not exhaustive, together they form a powerful starting point for accelerating AI adoption at scale.

The Human Side of AI Adoption in Government

Technology alone is not sufficient. For AI to be effective in governance, data quality and institutional understanding are critical. Governments must invest in creating reliable, structured datasets, an area that often poses challenges in public systems.

Equally important is building awareness among officers and departments about how AI works and its limitations. AI is a powerful tool, but it is not a universal solution. Understanding its constraints is essential to avoid misplaced expectations and to deploy it responsibly.

Workshops, structured exposure, and institutional learning—led by governments rather than individuals—are key to creating this mindset shift.

Looking Ahead

Telangana’s AI journey is still evolving, but its direction is clear: open data, shared infrastructure, collaborative innovation, and grounded governance use cases. By treating AI as a public ecosystem rather than a closed government project, the state is laying the groundwork for solutions that benefit administration, industry, and citizens alike.

Also Read | Strengthening DPI-Led Governance Through Predictive and Trusted AI

As AI increasingly shapes how governments operate, Telangana’s experience offers a replicable model—one where access, openness, and realism about technology go hand in hand.

Views Expressed By: T. Ravikiran, IFS, Commissioner of Electronic Services Delivery (MeeSeva), Government of Telangana

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