Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates along with representatives of the Gates Foundation on Thursday met Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and discussed collaborating on use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health, agriculture and infrastructure in the state.

A statement from the chief minister’s office said that Gates has assured to provide technical and financial assistance for the Innovation City being set up on  300 acres area in Navi Mumbai along with intervention in other areas.

With the provision made in the state budget for the use of AI in the health and agriculture sectors, and shortage of doctors in rural areas, the chief minister has requested the Gates Foundation to provide quality health services and facilities.

Among some other discussion points, Fadnavis spoke of doubling the production of sugarcane in Pune district through the use of AI, and plans to using solar to provide 24-hour electricity to farmers. He said that since 2022 -23 the use of solar energy  generation has gone up from  30%  to 52% at present and the government now plans to make all the electricity feeders solar to provide 24 hour solar electricity to farmers.

Gates assured partnership with social organizations , government agencies, and companies for sustainable energy to benefit farmers.

“Since Maharashtra has great potential, Mr. Gates assured that efforts will be made to take Maharashtra's development model to the world,” said the statement from the CM’s office.

With the Gates Foundation interventions to control dengue, it has further assured to provide  technical and financial assistance for rapidly increasing malaria  patients in the state for which it will initiate work from Gadchiroli district.

In addition, Gates also said that Microsoft and the Gates Foundation will help in digitizing the entire financial transactions of women in Maharashtra government scheme, Ladki Bahin Yojana .In the scheme eligible women will receive Rs 1,500 per month through direct benefit transfer to the bank account of the women.