In a significant move to elevate STEM education in Visakhapatnam, Bheemunipatnam MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao announced on June 28, 2025, that 50 government schools in Vizag will be equipped with advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics laboratories. Scheduled to launch in the second week of July, the initiative is being funded by the SAIL Foundation, the CSR division of Saint Software Company, with an investment of ₹8 crore.

The new labs aim to provide practical training to over 25,000 students, specifically from grades VII to X, initially within the Bheemunipatnam constituency as a pilot program. Depending on its success, the project may be expanded across Andhra Pradesh.

MLA Rao emphasized that the program aligns with the broader educational reforms spearheaded by the state’s Ministry of IT and Human Resource Development, led by Nara Lokesh. It's designed to prepare students from rural and semi-urban backgrounds for national-level technological competitions, while equipping them with future-ready skills

Apart from AI and robotics instruction, the MLA highlighted ongoing efforts under the ‘Thalli Ki Vandanam’ scheme, which supports mothers in enrolling their children in schools. Over ₹10,000 crore has been disbursed, benefiting 6.7 million students.

Experts laud the announcement as a major leap toward bridging the digital divide. By integrating hands-on, machine-based learning in public schools, the initiative promises to cultivate a strong foundation in computational thinking, robotics integration, and problem-solving among Vizag's youth—key ingredients for building India’s next generation of tech innovators.