Government Policy: Data Centers in Highlands, AI Hardware Production Planned in Nepal
भदौ ५, २०८२ १७:४३
Kathmandu: The Ministry of Communications and Industry will conduct a one-year feasibility study on establishing an industry in Nepal to manufacture hardware required for Artificial Intelligence (AI). The plan is part of the National AI Policy.
According to the action plan prepared to implement the policy, which was approved by the Cabinet on August 11, three new structures will be formed within the next three months: the AI Regulatory Council, the National AI Center, and the National AI Excellence Center.
The action plan sets specific timelines for AI-related tasks and assigns primary responsibility for 54 activities. It also identifies supporting bodies, expected outcomes, and monitoring indicators. To promote AI startups, financial instruments such as venture capital and crowdfunding will be used.
The policy requires new AI-related laws to be drafted within two years. These include laws on data security, ownership, exchange, confidentiality, and safeguards for personal and institutional data. Existing laws will be reviewed and amended to make them AI-friendly. This work will be led by the National AI Center, the e-Governance Board, and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Within one year, standards will be developed for data, algorithms, and technologies used in AI. These will emphasize ethical values in AI development and use. The AI Regulatory Council, National AI Center, and the Ministry of Communications will lead this effort. The government also plans to develop a national AI index and provide a regulatory sandbox.
Investment processes for AI-related digital infrastructure will be simplified, with public-private partnerships encouraged. The Ministry of Communications will build and operate green data centers in Nepal’s high-hill and Himalayan regions, with support from the Investment Board, Nepal Telecommunications Authority, and Nepal Electricity Authority.
AI-related subjects will be included in school and university curricula. The Ministry of Education, universities, provincial governments, and local levels will carry out this work. The Ministry of Education will also run certification programs to prepare AI professionals.
To address possible job losses from AI adoption, governments at all three levels will launch reskilling programs. AI-related skill enhancement programs will also be provided for IT professionals.
The Ministry of Industry and provincial governments will establish AI incubation hubs to support startups and innovative enterprises.
The action plan outlines AI applications in health, energy, and traffic management. In health, AI will be used in diagnostic imaging, early disease detection, and genomic analysis. In energy, the Ministry of Energy and the Nepal Electricity Authority will promote AI-based smart grids, smart switching, and smart meters for production, transmission, and distribution.
In transportation, AI will be applied to traffic management, parking systems, surveillance, public transport, and other services to cut costs and improve safety. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Home Affairs, and provincial governments will lead these efforts.
Tourism will also be enhanced through AI-based tools such as destination selection, virtual tour guides, and 3D modeling.
The action plan includes ambitious measures to boost production, productivity, and quality using AI automation, automated systems, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: भदौ ५, २०८२ १७:४३
