Maharashtra Targets 1.5 Lakh AI Jobs as ImagiNxt 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Maharashtra has unveiled an ambitious artificial intelligence growth roadmap aimed at creating more than 1.5 lakh AI-related jobs and attracting over ₹10,000 crore in investments by 2031. The announcement was made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the inaugural edition of ImagiNxt 2026, a major technology and innovation summit held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

Speaking at the event, Fadnavis said artificial intelligence would fundamentally transform industries, governance systems and daily life, positioning Maharashtra as a future-ready technology hub. He highlighted that the state’s newly launched AI policy is designed to establish Maharashtra as a national leader in AI adoption, innovation and startup growth.

The roadmap includes plans to establish six AI Centres of Excellence, five AI Innovation Cities, a ₹500 crore AI Startup Fund and 12 AI incubators. The state also plans to develop shared AI compute infrastructure with access to 2,000 GPUs to support startups, researchers and enterprises building AI-driven solutions.

Fadnavis connected the AI push with Maharashtra’s broader economic vision, stating that the state’s economy has expanded from ₹14 lakh crore in 2015 to nearly ₹54 lakh crore today. Maharashtra currently contributes more than 31% of India’s foreign direct investment inflows and aims to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through technology-led growth and innovation-driven policies.

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh also addressed the summit, calling the coming decade transformational for India due to advancements in AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, space technology and nuclear energy. He highlighted India’s rapidly growing space economy, which is projected to expand from nearly $9 billion today to as much as $45 billion over the next decade.

Singh noted that India’s space startup ecosystem has grown dramatically, increasing from only a few startups to more than 400 within five years following private sector participation. He also referenced the government’s proposed ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund to accelerate deep-tech and next-generation technology development.

ImagiNxt 2026, hosted by Maharashtra Tourism, has brought together startup founders, investors, policymakers, enterprise leaders and academic institutions to discuss the future of AI, DeepTech, SpaceTech and digital infrastructure. Organisers expect more than 10,000 attendees, over 150 speakers, 250 startups and 100 investors to participate in the event.

Industry experts believe the summit reflects India’s increasing focus on becoming a global innovation and AI development hub while encouraging collaboration between government bodies, startups and large enterprises.