Telangana, Andhra Should Focus More On Startups To Drive IT Growth: JA Chowdary

Jakkampudi Adiseshaiah Chowdary, widely known as JA Chowdary, is an esteemed entrepreneur, technology leader, and innovator with a career that spans both the private and public sectors. Renowned for his commitment to leveraging technology, education, and employment opportunities to enhance the lives of Indian youth, Chowdary has made significant contributions to India’s technological landscape.

In the early stages of his career, JA Chowdary was honoured with the NRDC Independence Day Invention Award by the Government of India, recognizing his innovative contributions to the country. His work in technology and industry has earned him numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hyderabad Software Exporters Association (HYSEA) in 2021.

In addition to this, Chowdary has been the recipient of the Amulya Ratna Award, along with several other lifetime achievement awards from various institutions. His career also includes a notable tenure at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he worked on developing telemetry subsystems for the Rohini and Bhaskara satellites, contributing to India's advancements in space technology.

Chowdary’s educational journey includes an MTech from IIT Madras and an MSc from Sri Venkateswara University. His outstanding contributions to the industry were further recognised with an honorary doctorate from Chitkara University, Punjab, for his exceptional service to the field.

In an interview with Bizz Buzz, Chowdary, presently Chairman of International Startup Foundatiion, (ISF) sheds light on his remarkable journey, his vision for the future of IT, and his expert advice for policymakers navigating the ever-evolving technological landscape

Can you tell us about your journey into the IT industry and what sparked your interest in technology?

My journey into technology began at ISRO Satellite Center in Bangalore, where I worked in the telemetry division. This exposure to advanced space technology fascinated me. During my time at ISRO, I contributed to satellites like Bhaskara, Rohini, and Aryabhata, immersing myself in cutting-edge developments. The technologies we worked on were of the highest order, often derived from global pioneers like NASA and defense research organizations.

When I joined ISRO, I was captivated by how these sophisticated systems operated seamlessly in space. Later, at BHEL R&D, I worked on Intel 8085-based instrumentation for monitoring pollutants in thermal power plants. This project, part of my IIT M Tech, won the NRDC Award from the Government of India. These experiences taught me how technology could be practically applied, from space exploration to industrial automation, enhancing efficiency and addressing critical challenges like pollution control.

Subsequently, I joined the Department of Electronics (now the Ministry of IT) in Delhi, a pivotal policymaking body. I contributed to decisions on import policies, duty structures, and fostering manufacturing in electronics. During this time, the Software Technology Park (STP) scheme was introduced to boost India’s IT services industry, marking a transformative phase in my career.

What key trends do you see shaping the future of IT and technology in the next 5 to 10 years, particularly in Hyderabad?

The next decade will witness massive, exponential changes in technology, often referred to as disruptive innovations. Generative AI, for instance, will revolutionize efficiencies across industries. However, it poses challenges like automating routine jobs in IT services, accountancy, and more, potentially impacting employment.

In a populous country like India, job creation is critical. Policymakers and industry leaders must focus on generating new employment opportunities. Startups, particularly in emerging areas like AI and robotics, hold significant potential for addressing this challenge. Initiatives like our International Startup Foundation aim to foster innovation and create jobs.

What are some of the most exciting IT solutions or innovations you’ve worked on recently?

Through our Succeed Innovation Fund, a venture capital firm, we’ve supported several groundbreaking technologies. One area of interest is agriculture, particularly drone-based and AI-driven solutions. These innovations address labour shortages and supply chain challenges in rural India. Robotics and AI are set to transform agriculture, bringing much-needed advancements to rural communities.

Can Amaravati or Visakhapatnam challenge the established IT hubs in India in the future?

Visakhapatnam holds immense potential. During my tenure as IT Advisor under AP CM Chandrababu Naidu's leadership, we identified FinTech as a high-growth sector and launched the FinTech Valley initiative. This proactive strategy attracted global players like Franklin Templeton, Conduent, and Paytm, making Vizag a FinTech hub before others recognized it’s potential.

Additionally, the Blockchain Business Conference, India’s first international blockchain event, was hosted in Andhra Pradesh. Such initiatives showcase the state’s forward-thinking approach. Amaravati, as a greenfield city, offers a unique opportunity to implement cutting-edge technologies like digital twins and smart city solutions, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. With its long coastline, Andhra Pradesh can also tap into the blue economy, leveraging marine technologies and promoting tourism, which would create significant employment opportunities.

What policy advice would you give to the Andhra Pradesh government to enhance its IT footprint?

The state should leverage its strategic advantages, including its long coastline, to focus on emerging areas like the blue economy and marine technologies. Promoting startups in Amaravati and other regions can drive job creation and innovation. By embracing advanced technologies in infrastructure and urban planning, Andhra Pradesh can set itself apart as a tech-forward state, fostering growth and employment in the IT sector.

Recently there’s been news about the Government of India planning to establish a Frontier Tech Hub across 100 to 200 acres. Several cities in India are competing for this prestigious project. Considering AP CM Chandrababu Naidu’s strong influence at the center, do you think cities like Visakhapatnam or Amaravati or otherwise Hyderabad could be chosen? What’s your forecast on how the decision will play out?

Andhra Pradesh is ideally suited for hosting a Frontier Tech Hub focused on futuristic technologies. As I mentioned earlier, a greenfield city like Amravati offers a unique opportunity. It's a new, purpose-built city where innovative technologies can be implemented and tested on a large scale. Other regions may not have the same advantage when it comes to introducing and experimenting with frontier technologies. Amravati, as a greenfield city, serves as an ideal testbed to turn theoretical concepts into practical applications. This gives Andhra Pradesh a significant edge in hosting the Frontier Tech Hub, as it allows for seamless integration of innovative solutions in a controlled, purpose-designed environment.

How do you see Artificial Intelligence shaping the IT landscape over the next decade?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a double-edged sword. On one hand, AI tools are essential for competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency across industries. On the other hand, technologies like generative AI will likely lead to significant job displacement. India, with its 1.4 billion population and a robust IT services sector developed over the past two decades, faces a critical challenge. Millions of jobs in IT services could come under threat due to the automation and capabilities brought by AI.

To adapt, states like Telangana have taken proactive measures. For instance, the creation of an AI-focused city includes GPU infrastructure, data lakes, and support for startups. Data is the backbone of AI, often called "the new oil," and India has an abundance of it. States need to offer sandbox environments, access to data, and infrastructure to attract global AI startups. This forward-thinking approach can position India as a global leader in the AI era.

What policy advice would you offer to the Telangana government to elevate IT further and especially AI sectors?

Telangana has already taken several key steps, including the establishment of AI City, T-Hub, and T-Works. However, the focus now should be on startups, as they represent the future of technological growth. Startups thrive in environments where they can test and scale their ideas. Telangana’s new green city initiative provides an excellent platform for experimenting with cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, Hyderabad’s diverse industrial base- spanning pharma, biotechnology, healthcare, construction, and media- offers a unique opportunity. By fostering collaboration between domain-specific industries and AI startups, Telangana can develop innovative solutions tailored to these sectors. Providing data access, infrastructure, and fostering partnerships between startups and established companies will position Telangana as a global innovation hub. No other city can match Hyderabad’s combination of industrial strength and technological expertise.

How will AI transform industries beyond IT, like healthcare, finance, and transportation?

AI is a transformative tool across industries. For instance, in filmmaking, tasks that once required thousands of hours, like creating visual effects for Avatar, can now be done in minutes with generative AI.

In healthcare, AI is revolutionizing drug discovery. Previously, developing a vaccine could take 5-10 years. With AI, that timeline has been compressed to less than a year, as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In manufacturing, AI-powered robotics are enhancing productivity. Take the Kia Motors plant in Anantapur, for example, where robotic automation minimizes human intervention and accelerates production.

These advancements are just the beginning. AI will continue to drive efficiency and innovation across sectors, from transportation to finance, fundamentally reshaping how industries operate.

As Chairman of the International Startup Foundation (ISF), how do you see ISF’s role evolving in the coming years?

The job market is undergoing a major shift, with routine service-sector jobs facing potential elimination due to automation. That’s why we established ISF over two years ago- to create new jobs by supporting startups.

ISF follows the "3 C's" and "3 M's" framework:

• 3 C's:

1. Connect: We connect entrepreneurs to investors, mentors, and markets through networking events and conferences.

2. Collaborate: Startups must collaborate with technology partners to quickly bring products to market.

3. Celebrate: We celebrate their successes to inspire and encourage further innovation.

• 3 M's:

1. Mentorship: Startups need guidance from experienced mentors to navigate challenges.

2. Money: Timely funding is critical, especially for early-stage startups. ISF has invested in over 55 startups so far.

3. Market Access: Many startups have great products but lack the ability to reach customers. ISF helps them bridge this gap by providing networking opportunities, such as our upcoming conferences in Dallas and Germany.

We also plan to expand globally with initiatives like ISF Gurukul, which will offer training in AI and other emerging domains, ensuring job readiness for the future workforce. Our ultimate goal is to position Indian startups for global success, creating wealth and jobs that drive socio-economic progress.