UP government greenlights 100+ research projects on AI, Block chain

The Department of Science and Technology, Uttar Pradesh has granted approval for over 100 research projects focusing on cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Block chain. Esteemed educational institutes including IIT-Kanpur, MNNIT, and KGMU are leading these initiatives, targeting sectors like healthcare and renewable energy.

These studies are dedicated to creating applications and systems for various purposes, including early detection of throat cancer in tobacco users, posture correction for desk workers, and specialised wheelchairs to assist individuals with disabilities.

A meeting chaired by Narendra Bhooshan, Principal Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology and Director General Council of Science and Technology, was held on October 5, 2023 in Lucknow. During the meeting, a record-breaking 109 research proposals were greenlit, representing the highest number of approvals. These projects are projected to incur an expenditure of Rs 14 crore.

Recognising the health challenges faced by desk workers, who often sit for prolonged periods, leading to issues like back pain and spondylitis, the Council has identified the need for innovative solutions. To address this, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Prayagraj, will develop a real-time posture correction system based on AI, Machine Learning, and IoT technology. This system will alert desk workers whenever their posture is incorrect.

The department also highlighted the delay in cancer diagnosis for users of ‘paan’ and tobacco. IIT-Kanpur will pioneer the development of a healthcare application utilising AI and advanced endoscopic imaging. This technology aims to facilitate early detection of this critical disease, enabling timely diagnosis and treatment to save lives.