Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has formally created a dedicated cabinet-level portfolio for Artificial Intelligence (AI), becoming the first state in the country
to give the emerging technology a place in government administration.
The move was announced through an official gazette notification issued by the state government on Wednesday, outlining the allocation of portfolios among ministers in the newly formed United Democratic Front (UDF) government.
Kerala AI ministry
Senior Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader P K Kunhalikutty has been entrusted with a cluster of departments such as Industries & Commerce, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Start-ups, Mining and Geology, and Handlooms & Textiles.
The allocation places Kunhalikutty at the forefront of Kerala’s efforts to promote technology-driven industrial expansion and explore the use of AI in governance and public services.
The portfolio distribution was approved by Governor Rajendra Arlekar on the recommendation of Chief Minister V D Satheesan.
Kerala cabinet portfolios
According to the notification, Satheesan will oversee Finance, Ports and Law, among other departments. Home, Vigilance, Fire and Rescue Services, and Prisons have been assigned to Ramesh Chennithala, while Sunny Joseph will handle Electricity and Environment.
Health and Medical Education portfolios have gone to K Muraleedharan, while Revenue-related departments have been assigned to AP Anilkumar. Tourism and Culture will be overseen by PC Vishnunadh, and Co-operation and Excise have been allotted to M Liju.
V D Satheesan was sworn in as Kerala’s 24th Chief Minister on May 18 along with a 20-member cabinet. The UDF returned to power after ten years by defeating the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the Assembly elections and securing 102 seats in the 140-member House.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had proposed a dedicated AI Ministry, AI University and AI City in its election manifesto.
