Amaravati, Feb 16: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday hailed the partnership between the state and the Gates Foundation as a transformative step for Andhra Pradesh’s development. During a meeting with Microsoft founder Bill Gates at the secretariat in Amaravati, Naidu presented his “Swarna Andhra 2047” vision, highlighting government policies and flagship projects in health, education, agriculture, and technology.
He emphasized that the collaboration with the Gates Foundation would empower citizens, improve quality of life, and accelerate the state’s development through technology-driven governance. Naidu described Gates’ visit as “historic,” noting that it would give a major boost to the state’s initiatives.
Naidu outlined plans to transform Andhra Pradesh’s key regions: Amaravati into a “quantum valley,” Visakhapatnam as a data and AI hub, Kakinada as a green hydrogen city, and Orvakal into a drone city. Rayalaseema’s Lekpakshi village is planned as an electronic and aerospace hub, while Tirupati will become an electronics and space city. AI has already been deployed in ten sectors across 30 government wings, enhancing efficiency and improving service delivery.
Recalling his first meeting with Gates in 1997, Naidu said he had convinced him to set up Microsoft’s office in Hyderabad, which spurred the city’s IT growth. Gates appreciated Naidu’s forward-thinking approach, describing him as “ahead in thinking amongst global leaders.” He noted the Foundation’s focus on health and emphasized AI’s potential in education, agriculture, and healthcare reforms, particularly for underprivileged communities.
During the visit, Gates observed initiatives such as natural farming in Undavalli village, the use of AI and drones in agriculture, and digitization of property and health records. Naidu demonstrated the Real Time Governance System (RTGS), which enables faster public service delivery, and the Sanjeevani project, a health record digitization initiative executed with the Gates Foundation in Kuppam. Gates praised the system’s efficiency and transparency, including blockchain-secured land records and QR code integration. He also commended the state’s effective tax collection under GST and the accessibility of low-cost diagnostics.
Naidu reiterated that technology must serve humanity, stressing that AI and digital governance initiatives are transforming lives across Andhra Pradesh. He said the state’s use of technology in governance, agriculture, and healthcare reflects its commitment to sustainable development and citizen-centric policies.
The partnership with the Gates Foundation, along with other technological initiatives, will enhance the state’s growth, empower its people, and strengthen its position as a leader in innovation and development.
Gates toured Amaravati and interacted with officials, observing practical applications of AI, governance, and technology. Naidu expressed confidence that these collaborations would help realize the Swarna Andhra 2047 vision, promoting economic progress, innovation, and improved quality of life across the state. (PTI)w
