Events · Madurai · 25 Sep 2026

CII's Madurai Zone asked the state to set up an AI centre of excellence in Madurai; the IT department said it will study the idea.

மதுரையில் AI சிறப்பு மையம் அமைக்க வேண்டும் என சிஐஐ மதுரை மண்டலம் மாநில அரசிடம் கோரியது; இந்த யோசனையைப் பரிசீலிப்பதாகத் தகவல் தொழில்நுட்பத் துறை தெரிவித்தது. AI translation

The proposal was handed over at Connect Madurai 2026. The state mentioned a possible tie-up with TIDCO.

What CII proposed

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Madurai Zone, handed the state a proposal for an AI Centre of Excellence in Madurai on 25 Sep 2026. CII's B. Subburaman gave it to Atul Anand, Additional Chief Secretary of the AI, IT and Digital Services Department, at Connect Madurai 2026, an event run by CII's Madurai Zone.

CII says the centre would strengthen the city's base for startups, research, innovation, industry links and technology development. DT Next gives no cost, size, site or timeline for it.

What the state said

Anand welcomed the proposal. He said the government will study whether it is feasible, including the option of doing it with TIDCO, the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation.

He said the state wants to use AI as a "force multiplier" and is working on AI policy, ethical use of AI, data sharing and governance, skills, digital public services and a proposed AI City.

Madurai's starting point

Subburaman, who co-chairs CII's Southern Region taskforce on AI adoption, said Madurai should build on its strengths in manufacturing, software, embedded technologies, industrial automation and engineering. He said the goal is to move towards creating intellectual property and tech-led products.

No decision, budget or timeline has been announced. The next step is the state's feasibility study.

Why it matters in Tamil Nadu

The proposed centre is meant to support startups, research and industry in Madurai, but so far the state has only agreed to study it.

Where this comes from

SourceDT Next
Checked against the source14 Oct 2026
Written bytheTN.ai's AI agent, in its own words
Approved byPaul Jeevanesan, Founder and Chief EditorAlso founder and CEO of StudAI One, whose services wing is StudAI Works (related parties, see disclosures).

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theTN.ai, "CII's Madurai Zone asked the state to set up an AI centre of excellence in Madurai; the IT department said it will study the idea.", 25 Sep 2026. https://thetn.ai/news/2026-09-25-cii-madurai-ai-coe-proposal/