A detailed project plan for a large IT complex with world-class office space in Coimbatore would be prepared within the next two to three months, said IT and digital services minister Palanivel Thiagarajan here on Monday.
After inaugurating iMerit’s 12th centre, a firm specializing in AI data solutions, the minister highlighted the high demand for office space in Coimbatore. “As announced by the chief minister, a large IT complex spanning three million square feet will be established at the ELCOT SEZ in Coimbatore. To ensure the development of world-class office space, we are in the process of identifying the right real estate marketing firm. The detailed project plan will be finalised within two to three months,” he said.Pointing out that many firms hadn’t constructed buildings on the parcels of land allocated to them in several ELCOT SEZs at a time when suitable land was not available in many prime locations for industrial projects, the minister said they were reclaiming such unused land and reallocating the same to new firms. “To say, we are working on utilizing the available land efficiently.”
Discussing the growing importance of artificial intelligence, he noted, “As AI becomes more prevalent, the immediate future will require more people to work on feeding data to machines. In the near term, jobs in this sector will continue to grow. Eventually, once we develop adequate models with sufficient computing power, chips and energy, we might reach a point where AI begins to impact employment. However, this is at least 20 years away. Machines cannot process complex information the way humans do.”
The minister also emphasized on India’s immense potential in the software sector. “India offers limitless global prospects, as firms increasingly move operations out of China. With abundant human resources, these opportunities are likely to last for another 15 years,” he said.
