Hyderabad: Google Developer Group (GDG) Hyderabad concluded DevFest 2026, bringing together more than 3,300 developers, students, engineers, architects and founders. The event’s key highlight was the first-ever live, on-stage unveiling of Telangana’s AI Minister, a pre-AGI digital avatar of IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu.
Developed by TensorGo’s HumAIn platform under the guidance of Sai Krishna, IT Advisor to the Telangana government’s IT, Electronics and Communications Minister, the initiative aims to create new avenues for citizen engagement. The AI avatar interacted with Gen Z attendees in English and Telugu, answering questions about Telangana’s vision, priorities and technology-led growth.
Addressing the gathering virtually, Minister D. Sridhar Babu delivered a keynote titled “Innovation at Scale,” highlighting the role of young innovators in Telangana’s ambition to become a global AI hub.
“As Telangana works towards becoming a global AI hub, we want our young innovators to be at the centre of that journey,” he said, emphasising the need to help students, startups and developers transform ideas into solutions for global markets.
Sai Krishna said the initiative’s first phase marked the AI Minister’s public launch. The next phase aims to enable citizens to interact with the avatar, share feedback and submit grievances, while helping the minister gain insights into grassroots issues and governance.
Srini Chilukuri, founder of TensorGo Software, said the initiative reflected a shift towards AI teammates capable of seeing, hearing, understanding and acting alongside people.
Anudeep Durishetty, IAS, Joint Secretary in Telangana’s Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Department, said the State was focused on moving AI beyond pilot projects towards solutions with tangible public impact. He highlighted initiatives such as AI City, AIKAM, Global Capability Centres and the Quantum District as part of Telangana’s ambition to build a USD 1 trillion economy by 2034.
Held under the theme “Build, Secure, Scale: Developers and Builders in the Agentic Era,” DevFest 2026 featured hands-on sessions led by more than 30 industry experts, collaborative coding experiences and industry engagement opportunities.
The Experience Zone showcased NFC-enabled smart badges that allowed attendees to share digital resumes instantly with prospective employers. Industry hubs featuring Google for Developers, Logitech, Lyric AI, MetLife and MSI connected participants with technology companies. The event also promoted sustainability by eliminating single-use plastics across the venue and providing reusable water bottles.
Aarshad Devani, lead for GDG Hyderabad, said the event combined technical sessions, collaborative coding and recruitment opportunities, reflecting the community’s focus on building practical technology solutions.
With more than 23,000 software developers, GDG Hyderabad has spent 13 years nurturing the region’s technology ecosystem. Its flagship annual DevFest continues to bring together developers and industry leaders to explore emerging technologies and strengthen Hyderabad’s position as a technology hub.
TensorGo specialises in enterprise-grade AI solutions, with its HumAIn platform enabling real-time, interactive and multilingual engagement through AI teammates.