Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh says AI is the future, urging citizens, students, and the government to embrace it, warning that resisting AI will lead to job losses and missed opportunities.
In Short
IT Minister Nara Lokesh warns against resisting AI
Andhra Pradesh pushes for AI readiness
AI to reshape industries, says Lokesh
Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh, speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025, underscored the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasising that adaptation is the key to survival in the evolving technological landscape.
“If you accept AI, if you adapt to it, it will definitely transform our lives. If you resist it, you will be out of a job. As simple as that,” Lokesh stated, making a strong case for embracing AI-driven advancements.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to AI integration, he asserted that the state must proactively prepare for the technology’s growing influence. “As a government, we believe that AI is here, it is going to be the next wave and we have to be ready. Our citizens have to be ready for it, our students have to be ready for it and our government has to be ready for it.”
Lokesh’s remarks come at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping industries globally, sparking both optimism and concerns about job security and ethical governance. His address reinforced Andhra Pradesh’s push towards digital transformation and the urgent need for AI literacy across all sectors.
Telangana has Hyderabad, what do you have? Nara Lokesh replies, ‘Deewar’ style
Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Andhra Pradesh IT and Human Resources Minister Minister Nara Lokesh said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was the competitive advantage that their state had.
In Short
Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh spoke at length at India Today Conclave 2025
Nara Lokesh discussed his transition into a politician, along with issues affecting his state
Said Andhra Pradesh is at the right point to move seamlessly from IT to AI in all aspects
Andhra Pradesh IT minister Nara Lokesh, speaking at the India Today Conclave, responded in a ‘filmy’ style to the implied question if the Telugu state was at a disadvantage because of the headstart cities like Bengaluru, Chennai or Hyderabad had.
Lokesh’s quip was evocative of the iconic scene between Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor in the film ‘Deewar’, where Amitabh Bachchan lists out the luxuries he had and asked his brother, played by Kapoor, about what he had. Kapoor delivered the iconic line, “Mere paas maa hai.”
Responding to whether other states like Telangana or a city like Bengaluru had a competitive advantage, the Andhra Pradesh minister said: “Karnataka has Bangalore, Tamil Nadu has Chennai, Telangana has Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh has Chandrababu Naidu.”
“He is our competitive advantage,” Lokesh stated.
OUT OF THE SHADOWS OF NTR, CHANDRABABU NAIDU
Speaking with India Today TV’s Rajdeep Sardesai, Nara Lokesh explained how he did not feel like a third-generation politician. “I see myself as a karyakarta of the Telugu Desam Party. Being Chandrababu Naidu’s son makes it 10 times harder. I am at a greater disadvantage, because he sees me every day,” Lokesh quipped.
Lokesh revealed that his father and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was a “taskmaster” who expected everyone to function at the same pace as him.
When asked how a Carnegie Mellon and Stanford graduate transformed into a son-of-the-soil politician, Lokesh said, “Carnegie Mellon, Stanford is good for business. Padayatra is very very important for politics.”
The Andhra Pradesh IT and Human Resources Minister said that his 226-day, over 3,000 km march in 2023 helped him understand his state, its nuance far better. “I am able to connect to issues far better. So, I truly believe that the transition is complete and I am able to contribute in Mr Naidu’s cabinet quite successfully,” he said.
FROM IT TO AI ANDHRA PRADESH AT THE CUSP
“We are going to build a new Data City in Visakhapatnam; no second thoughts about it,” said Nara Lokesh, responding to what his contribution to the state would be.
His father, a four-time Chief Minister has been heralded as the builder of modern-day Hyderabad using digital technology. Lokesh, explaining his role in the transformation of the divided Andhra Pradesh, and how he would take his father’s interest in the digital economy to the “next level”.
“Hyderabad and India were beneficiaries of the Y2K revolution. And I believe we are at the cusp of the next revolution,” he said, adding that if a state has the right ecosystem which provides ease of doing business, which Andhra Pradesh has, “at the right point” to accelerate itself to be at the top.
“We have to be ready for it. Our students have to be ready for it and the state has to be ready for it,” Lokesh said about the AI revolution hitting the IT industry.
“I believe that we are competing with all other states. We are saying we have quality manpower now in our state. As HRD Minister I am focused on revamping our entire curriculum from KG to PG,” he added.
Andhra’s Nara Lokesh breaks rank with neighbours: Hindi imposition won’t happen
TDP leader Nara Lokesh dismissed concerns of Hindi imposition, emphasising India’s linguistic diversity. He advocated for promoting regional languages like Telugu and teaching global languages like German and Japanese for job opportunities. Lokesh stressed multilingual learning over language imposition.
In Short
Lokesh says Hindi imposition unlikely due to India’s linguistic diversity
Advocates teaching Telugu, German, Japanese for better opportunities
Calls for multilingual learning, not forced language policies
Andhra Pradesh IT and Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh dismissed fears of Hindi imposition, stating that India’s linguistic diversity would prevent any such move. Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025, he emphasised that every state is unique and should have the freedom to promote its local language.
“I don’t believe impositions will happen in India. I believe every state is unique. When I met the Education Minister, he was more focused on promoting Telugu as the medium of instruction in the state,” Lokesh said, adding that the NDA government had shown trust in strengthening mother tongues. He credited TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu for leading efforts to boost regional languages.
Lokesh also expanded the discussion beyond the three-language policy, advocating for Indian students to learn global languages like German and Japanese. “Many job opportunities are opening up in Germany and Japan, especially for nurses and homecare professionals. We have agreements to teach German and Japanese to nurses, ensuring mobility and employment opportunities abroad,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of multilingualism, Lokesh questioned why Telugu could not be taught in northern states. “Give kids the opportunity to learn what they want. I am reasonably fluent in Hindi, Hyderabad se hoon na, Hindi acchi hail (I am from Hyderabad, my Hindi is good),” he remarked, stressing that learning multiple languages was essential in the modern world.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025 one day ago, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy strongly opposed the imposition of Hindi, asserting that it should remain a choice rather than being forced. Criticising the BJP-led central government’s push for Hindi, he said, “Hindi is not the national language. Modiji is making so much effort for Hindi, but Telugu is the second-most spoken language. What have you done for it?”
Reddy took a sharp dig at the Prime Minister, explaining why he chose to learn Hindi. “Hindi mein bol raha hoon na? Modi ji ko thokne ke liye Hindi seekha na (I learned Hindi to take on Modiji),” he quipped. He argued that language should be a tool of opportunity, not compulsion, recalling how students in colleges have the option to study German, French, or Sanskrit.
Stanford MBA for business, padayatra for politics, says Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh
At the India Today Conclave 2025, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh reflected on his 3,000-km padayatra, stating that while Stanford helped in business, it was walking with people that truly shaped his political perspective.
In Short
Lokesh says padayatra deepened his political understanding
He says, Stanford helped in business, but politics needs ground connect
Padayatra key to understanding grassroots issues, says Lokesh
Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh reflected on the contrasting experiences that have shaped his political and professional journey, stating that while his education at Stanford University provided him with a strong foundation in business, it was his 2023 padayatra that truly connected him with the political landscape.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025, Lokesh, said, “Stanford is great for business, but padayatra is essential for politics.”
Lokesh, who undertook a 3,000-kilometre padayatra across Andhra Pradesh in 2023, emphasised that walking through villages and towns allowed him to understand the nuances of governance in a way that no classroom could. He highlighted how the experience helped him relate to Members of the Legislative Assembly and constituents on a much deeper level.
Drawing a broader perspective, Lokesh asserted that padayatras are not just limited to state politics but have significance for Bharat as a whole. Engaging with people on the ground, he said, offers a better understanding of grassroots issues, something that traditional political strategies often overlook. “You understand the nuances better, you connect to issues better,” he said.
Nara Lokesh on Vishakapatnam Data City: Andhra Pradesh at cusp of new revolution
At the India Today Conclave, Nara Lokesh spoke about Andhra Pradesh’s plan to build a 500-acre Data City in Visakhapatnam. The project aims to boost technology, tourism, and AI innovation, with Google partnering for a major AI initiative.
In Short
Andhra Pradesh to build 500-acre Data City in Vizag
At the cusp of a new revolution, Andhra ready to take leap, says Lokesh
Lokesh emphasises education revamp from KG to PG
Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD), Nara Lokesh, outlined the state’s ambitious plans to build a cutting-edge Data City in Visakhapatnam.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025, He emphasised that Andhra Pradesh is poised to leapfrog into the next technological revolution by leveraging its high-quality workforce, enabling business-friendly ecosystems, and revamping education from KG to PG.
“We are at the cusp of a new revolution. States that position themselves with quality manpower and an enabling ecosystem can move ahead swiftly. Andhra Pradesh is at the right point to take that leap,” Lokesh said. He highlighted that the state is actively competing with others to attract investments and technological advancements.
The Andhra Pradesh government had recently announced the development of a 500-acre Data City near Visakhapatnam, aiming to replicate Hyderabad’s success with Hitec City. The project is expected to boost both technology and tourism, creating an ecosystem that fosters innovation and economic growth.
Lokesh stressed the importance of aligning education with industry needs. “We are working with industries to build centers of excellence to shape the curriculum, from language arts to humanities. The next generation of thought leaders will come from Andhra Pradesh,” he stated.
In December 2024, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced an AI initiative in collaboration with global tech giant Google. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to drive transformative development in Visakhapatnam.