The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Tamil Nadu organized the 23rd edition of CII Connect 2025 in Coimbatore from October 16 to 17, under the theme “TransformAItion into the Next Era of Intelligence.” The two-day conference underscored Tamil Nadu’s growing leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological innovation aimed at driving economic growth and inclusive digital transformation.
During the event, the AI Academy was launched as a joint initiative by the Department of Information Technology and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, ICT Academy, and CII.
The initiative seeks to nurture a future-ready workforce equipped with advanced AI skills and competencies.
Delivering the valedictory address, Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, highlighted that Tamil Nadu contributes nearly 20% of India’s STEM talent, making it an intellectual powerhouse in AI-led governance and sustainable development.
He said Coimbatore, with over 1,592 DPIIT-recognized startups and $37 million in venture funding, has evolved into a thriving innovation hub.
Dr. Thiaga Rajan also announced the establishment of a 2 million sq. ft. AI Innovation Hub to foster startups, research, and employment opportunities. He noted that the launch of the AI Academy marks a crucial step in preparing the state’s human capital to thrive in the AI era.
Earlier, Mr. S. Krishnan, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & IT, emphasized AI’s transformative impact across manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors. Mr. Brajendra Navnit, IAS, Principal Secretary, IT & Digital Services, spoke on deep tech innovation and inclusive AI access.
Mr. V. Mahadesha, Director, STPI Chennai, underscored ethical AI, cybersecurity, and indigenous development. Ms. Vanitha Venugopal, CEO, iTNT Hub, shared expansion plans to Coimbatore and other
cities.
Mr. P. Ravichandran, Deputy Chairman, CII Southern Region, and Mr. Shankar Vanavarayar, Past Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu, urged stronger academia-industry-government collaboration for sustainable progress.
Mr. J. Murugavel, Chairman, CII Connect 2025, along with Mr. Rajesh Doraiswamy and Mr. V. Noushad, reaffirmed that Connect will continue to propel Tamil Nadu’s leadership in digital transformation and innovation.
