PATNA, Aug. 7 -- Bihar signed investment agreements worth nearly Rs.51,600 crore with leading industrial groups on Thursday, as chief minister Samrat Choudhary positioned the state to become the country's next major steel hub, said a government communique. At a function held at Lok Sevak Awas, the industries department inked memoranda of understanding with a clutch of companies in the presence of Choudhary. The steel and metals sector drew the bulk of the commitments: Shyam Steel Manufacturing Ltd and Shakambhari Ispat and Power Ltd will each invest Rs.5,000 crore, Nakshit Iron and Steel Rs.6,836 crore, Shri Langta Baba Metals and Power Ltd Rs.5,500 crore, Ankur Steel Private Ltd Rs.6,000 crore, and Shri Samriddhi Steel Private Ltd Rs.290 crore. The single largest commitment came from Global Renewable Advanced Clean Energy Pvt Ltd, which pledged Rs.22,500 crore for a nuclear energy project in the state. Creative Group will invest Rs.250 crore in textiles, Bharat Science and Innovation Private Ltd Rs.200 crore, and Anubhav Apparels Private Ltd Rs.50 crore in the textile sector. "Bihar will be developed as the country's leading steel hub," Chaudhary said, announcing that investment in the steel and metal sector would be actively promoted. He said textiles, nuclear energy and pharma would be given special priority to generate fresh investment and employment, with the government working under the mantra "Build and Believe in Bihar" to fast-track industrial projects on the ground. The CM said that food processing was equally critical, arguing that the state's strength in agriculture and food production must translate into industrial growth, better markets for farmers, and rural employment. He also flagged healthcare and pharma as priority investment areas. Reviewing preparations for Bihar Business Connect 2026 ahead of the MoU signing, Choudhary said that the event would be used to link domestic and global industrial groups with opportunities in Bihar and draw large-scale investment, and called for greater participation from Biharis settled outside the state. He directed all departments linked to industrial investment to work in coordination and "mission mode" so that MoUs translate into projects on the ground rather than remaining on paper. Deputy CM Bijendra Prasad Yadav, industries minister Shreyasi Singh, and senior state officials attended the event. Separately on Thursday, chief minister Samrat Choudhary urged ministers and legislators to leverage digital technology and artificial intelligence for balanced development and better public outreach, highlighting that his government was already using AI in implementing welfare programmes. AI should be used in preparing estimates for development projects, he said and cited an instance where an estimate prepared by the Building Construction Department was reviewed with Artificial Intelligence, cutting project costs by 5-7%, with the savings redirected to other development works, and said AI should be built into project estimation more widely. Failure to adopt AI in the current digital era, he warned, would leave Bihar behind in the development race. "AI and digital technology will enhance the working capacity of Bihar's legislators. These have become indispensable for governance, administration and development," he said, calling on public representatives to use technology-based monitoring systems for the successful execution of schemes and to undergo regular training in AI, computers and social media. Choudhary said that the state was already using AI to roll out ration cards to one crore eligible beneficiaries and to conduct a digital survey of farmers. He pointed to panchayat-level weather centres delivering accurate forecasts as an example of technology aiding agriculture and rural development, and said that modern technology could further strengthen Bihar's democratic institutions. During the programme, the CM also launched a website to monitor projects under the Chief Minister's Area Development Scheme....