Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called for greater awareness and understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), saying emerging technologies are creating new opportunities across education, healthcare, agriculture, industry and employment.
Adityanath made the remarks in an open letter to the people ahead of International Literacy Day, observed on September 8. He said the rapid transformation brought by technology means that digital literacy alone is no longer enough, stressing that AI literacy has become an important requirement for citizens.
“Today, technology is rapidly changing our lives. In such a situation, along with digital literacy, AI literacy is also the need of the hour,” the chief minister said.
According to Adityanath, developments in artificial intelligence, deep technology and other emerging fields are opening new possibilities in several areas of the economy. He identified education, healthcare, agriculture, industry and employment as sectors that could benefit from the continued advancement of technology.
The chief minister also stressed that education should go beyond teaching students basic reading and writing skills. He said schools should equip children with knowledge, discipline, values, confidence and an understanding that would help them make meaningful contributions to society.
Adityanath said his administration was working to combine traditional knowledge with modern science, technology, innovation and skills. He pointed to the developing AI City ecosystem in Lucknow and drone and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology initiatives in Kanpur as examples of efforts aimed at strengthening the state's technological future.
He further highlighted government programmes focused on improving education, school infrastructure, competitive examination preparation and youth skill development. These include Operation Kayakalp, Mission Prerna, the Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Yojana and other skills-focused initiatives.
The chief minister also emphasised the important role of teachers in preparing young people for a rapidly changing world. According to him, teachers do more than transfer academic knowledge, as they also help develop curiosity, discipline, confidence, responsibility and values among students.
His comments reflect a growing global conversation about the importance of preparing young people for an economy increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence and automation.
For developing economies, AI literacy could also provide young people with access to new digital skills and employment opportunities, particularly as businesses increasingly adopt technology to improve productivity and create new services.
Adityanath called on citizens to support efforts towards universal literacy, saying every child should have access to education, young people should be connected to skills and innovation, and citizens should understand digital technology and AI.
The message comes as governments, schools and businesses around the world continue to explore how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly to improve education, healthcare, agriculture and economic opportunities.
For young people, the growing emphasis on AI literacy could mean that understanding emerging technologies becomes an increasingly important part of preparing for the jobs and opportunities of the future.