Digital
Sheetal Patole joins as Helium AI co-founder
INDIA: Helium AI has brought in Sheetal Patole as co-founder, a move aimed at pushing the Neural Arc-backed platform deeper into enterprise adoption as demand shifts from AI trials to systems that work at scale.
Patole, a globally recognised AI and data leader with more than 24 years of experience across banking, consulting and technology, joins at a time when companies are racing to turn AI experiments into tools that deliver measurable business value.
Her brief will be to shape Helium AI’s execution model, embedding the platform across core workflows and decision systems while ensuring transparency, governance and long-term resilience.
“Sheetal brings deep experience in building and operating AI systems across global organisations, with a strong focus on trust, accountability and real outcomes,” said Neural Arc founder and CEO Aniket Tapre. “That aligns with how Helium AI is designed — as a platform for consistent, dependable use at scale.”
Patole has held senior roles including chief data and information officer at Barclays and chief data and analytics officer at Macquarie Bank, and has led large AI and data transformations across multiple regions. Earlier, she worked with PwC, Deloitte and EY, building expertise at the intersection of consulting, technology and enterprise strategy.
“AI today is about building systems that are useful, safe and dependable, not just running pilots,” Patole said. “The focus now is on delivering long-term value with trust, transparency and accountability at the core.”
Her appointment bolsters Helium AI’s push to position itself as a secure, compliant and enterprise-ready AI platform, helping organisations move from experimentation to real-world deployment.
Patole has been named among the Top 100 Global Women to Watch in Data, Analytics and AI (2025) and was listed as a Top 10 Global Data Innovator (2024), underlining her standing in the global AI community.
Digital
Maharashtra partners OpenAI, Sarvam AI to boost state’s tech ecosystem
State to set up dedicated AI department and roll out frontier technology policies
MUMBAI: Maharashtra is set to become a primary hub for artificial intelligence following the 2026–27 Budget announcement. chief minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that the state has signed letters of intent with global giant OpenAI and national pioneer Sarvam AI to integrate advanced technology into the state’s economic and administrative framework.
The collaboration with OpenAI and Sarvam AI marks a shift towards adopting cutting-edge generative tools for governance. These partnerships, alongside MoUs with IIT Bombay and BharatGen, are designed to create a robust ecosystem for research and innovation. The move signals the state’s intent to bring together global technology leaders and domestic research institutions to accelerate the development and adoption of artificial intelligence across sectors.
Regarding the strategic intent of these alliances, chief minister Fadnavis stated, “With the objective of making the State’s Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector dynamic, letters of intent have been signed with globally and nationally reputed institutions like OpenAI and Sarvam AI to facilitate the Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector in the state.”
To manage these high-level partnerships and ensure effective implementation, the government is establishing an independent department of electronics, Information technology, and artificial intelligence. The new department will function with a dedicated commissionerate and specialised technical manpower, enabling faster decision-making, improved coordination, and stronger accountability in executing technology-driven initiatives.
The state also plans to introduce special policies aimed at strengthening its position in emerging technology sectors. These policies will focus on advancing Maharashtra as a global hub for frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles, and deep technology.
According to the chief minister, “The state government plans to introduce special policies to develop Maharashtra as a world-class hub for frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles and deep technology.”
Artificial intelligence is already being integrated into the state’s governance framework. A collaboration with Microsoft has led to the development of MahaCrimeOS AI, a platform that has reportedly reduced police investigation times by 80 per cent across 23 police stations in Nagpur. The initiative demonstrates how AI-driven tools can significantly enhance law enforcement efficiency and data analysis capabilities.
The government is also working toward building a fully digitised administrative ecosystem. Plans are underway to achieve complete digitisation of land transactions and implement electronic office systems across departments, paving the way for a paperless government. In addition, a pilot project will introduce AI-powered solutions in 75 selected villages to improve infrastructure, governance efficiency, and overall quality of life in rural areas.
To strengthen digital infrastructure and data protection, the state also intends to establish an advanced data centre in Nagpur. This facility will be designed to safeguard sensitive and sovereign information while supporting large-scale digital services and government platforms.
These initiatives form part of Maharashtra’s broader cyber security and digital transformation strategy aligned with the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision. By partnering with global and domestic technology leaders such as OpenAI and Sarvam AI, the state aims to build a secure, future-ready digital ecosystem that enhances citizen services, supports innovation, and strengthens India’s position in emerging technologies.
