CII Tamil Nadu organised the 23rd edition of CII Connect 2025 conference during 16 – 17 October 2025 at Coimbatore. Organised with the theme, “TransformAItion into the next era of Intelligence”, the conference reinforced Tamil Nadu as a forerunner in harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge technologies to drive economic growth, industry transformation, and social development.

During the occasion, AI Academy was launched as a joint effort of Department of Information Technology and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, ICT Academy and CII. This initiative is aimed at building a future-ready workforce equipped with AI Skills and Competencies.

Addressing at the valedictory session of Connect 2025, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, commented that, about 18 – 20% of nation’s STEM talent is contributed by Tamil Nadu, the state stands as an intellectual powerhouse driving AI-led Governance, Technology and Sustainable Digital Transformation. He mentioned that Government of Tamil Nadu is building a comprehensive startup ecosystem – from patent access and testing labs to inclusive funding models.

Highlighting that, AI is reshaping every sector and redefining the nature of work. Citing a recent MIT study, he mentioned that AI while eliminating low-level jobs AI will help in enhancing the demand for skills that involve monitoring and managing complex systems. Recognizing this shift, he mentioned that Government of Tamil Nadu is committed to prepare Tamil Nadu for this new age of technology and ensuring that the state’s human capital is equipped to thrive in the age of AI. He added that launch of AI Academy is a step towards this goal.

Mentioning about Coimbatore, the minister mentioned that, Coimbatore offers benefits like an enviable climate, resilience against some of the environmental challenges that face other regions and strategic connectivity to neighboring states which has helped in flourishing a startup ecosystem, with over 1,592 recognized DPIIT startups and an impressive venture funding intake of over $37 million.

He also informed that the Government of Tamil Nadu is in the process of setting up a 2 million square feet AI Innovation Hub, which will be a catalyst for new startups, provide employment opportunities, and foster cutting-edge research and development. He further added that, Coimbatore, and indeed Tamil Nadu, is poised for a future where technology and innovation will drive economic growth, improve governance, and create opportunities for all. He added that, Together, we will ensure that Tamil Nadu remains a leader in the new age of AI and technology.

Earlier addressing at the Inaugural Session, S.Krishnan IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India highlighted the revolution brought in by AI across sectors ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to agriculture and education. He stated that the nation’s digital economy has nearly doubled its GDP contribution over the past decade, signaling a massive growth trajectory which is expected to reach 20% by 2030. Calling for closer collaboration between Industry and Government to leverage AI infrastructure, open datasets and customized AI models, he mentioned that this collaboration will enable startups and MSMEs to create innovative applications that drive employment, productivity and competitiveness.

Delivering the Keynote Address, Brajendra Navnit IAS, Principal Secretary, Information Technology and Digital Services, Government of India, reinforced the state Government’s commitment to fostering an enabling ecosystem for deep tech innovation. He detailed on the policies aimed at democratizing AI access, establishing innovation centers and creating funding mechanisms to empower startups and entrepreneurs. He emphasized on the importance of practical industry-government partnerships to apply AI solutions across sectors for enhanced productivity and inclusive growth.

Delivering the Special Address,V.Mahadesha, Director, STPI Chennai, provided key insights into Tamil Nadu’s burgeoning startup ecosystem, with over half of the 1,000+ startups at STPI centers integrating AI in their core operations. He emphasized the need for indigenous AI development, supported by India’s growing computational infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing initiatives. He stressed the importance of ethical AI, cybersecurity and data privacy as foundational pillars to foster trust and sustainability in AI adoption, alongside ongoing collaborations with premier academic institutions like IIT Madras.

Addressing at the valedictory session,Vanitha Venugopal, Chief Executive Officer, iTNT Hub (Innovation and Technology Transformation Hub) in her address highlighted that expanding beyond Chennai to Madurai, Trichy, and soon Coimbatore, iTNT champions “Made in Tamil Nadu” innovation — supporting design, prototyping, and commercialization for an inclusive innovation-led economy. 

P.Ravichandran, Deputy Chairman, CII Southern Region & President – Danfoss India in his valedictory address, stated that through digital transformation, energy efficiency, and climate-resilient practices, Tamil Nadu can lead the nation’s sustainable industrial revolution. He mentioned that initiatives like CII Connect will help in promoting collaboration between government, academia, and industry which will be the cornerstone of a greener tomorrow.

Shankar Vanavarayar, Past Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu & President, Kumaraguru Institutions, in his address emphasized on the maturity of AI and technology adoption in Tamil Nadu and India. He urged stakeholders to seize the moment for ecosystem building and interdisciplinary innovation, citing initiatives that leverage AI to solve complex societal challenges.

AR Unnikrishnan, Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu & Managing Director - Glass Group, Saint-Gobain (I) Pvt Ltd, in his address expressed that Coimbatore has already established itself as a major industrial and technological hub. 

J. Murugavel, Chairman, CII Connect 2025, Founder, Chairman & Managing Director, CEO, Matrimony.com Ltd delivered the theme address. Rajesh Doraiswamy, Chairman, CII Coimbatore Zone& Joint Managing Director, Salzer Electronics Ltd, earlier welcomed the gathering and indicated that CII Connect is a crucial platform for knowledge exchange, enabling industries and communities to adapt to emerging technologies. V Noushad, Vice Chairman, CII Coimbatore Zone & Managing Director, Walkaroo International Pvt Ltd proposed the vote of thanks.