Odisha Hosts Brainstorming Workshop on Artificial Intelligence Strategy

Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha took a significant step towards shaping its future in artificial intelligence by organizing a ‘Brainstorming Workshop on Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Odisha’ at the Odisha State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhavan. The event, hosted by the Electronics and IT Department, brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, academics, and international experts to discuss the state’s AI strategy and its alignment with India’s national AI mission.

The workshop is part of a broader initiative by the Odisha government to foster the development of an AI ecosystem in the state. The insights and discussions during the workshop are expected to guide the formulation of Odisha’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which aims to not only accelerate the state’s growth across various sectors but also promote equitable AI adoption, ensuring that marginalized groups benefit from technological advancements.

Speaking at the event, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Odisha, Smt. Anu Garg, emphasized the role of AI in driving Odisha’s economic development. “Odisha is experiencing accelerated growth across all sectors, and AI adoption will further enhance this trajectory. However, we must ensure that the benefits of AI reach marginalized communities and are based on principles of equity,” she said.

Principal Secretary of the Electronics and IT Department, Shri Vishal Dev, shared that Odisha has initiated the development of its AI Strategy and Policy. “We have great ambitions in this field. Our goal is to contribute to India’s AI ecosystem by building local compute capacity, fostering AI start-ups, and developing indigenous AI models. By promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and government, we will create a robust AI ecosystem in the state.”

The workshop featured presentations from experts representing prominent organizations, including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the University of California-Berkeley. Topics discussed included India’s AI Mission, sustainability in AI, digital infrastructure, AI use cases in healthcare, agriculture, education, and disaster management, workforce development, and ethical frameworks for AI adoption.

Following the presentations, a panel discussion was held, featuring senior academics from IIT Bhubaneswar, IIIT Bhubaneswar, and VSSUT, as well as industry leaders from companies like Accenture, TCS, IBM, Infosys, and NASSCOM. The discussion focused on AI research initiatives in Odisha’s universities, AI-focused academic programs, and the growing number of AI-based products and services offered by industry leaders.

The Government of India has prioritized AI with the launch of the IndiaAI Mission, allocating more than INR 10,000 crores to foster AI research, innovation, and adoption. Odisha’s initiatives complement the national vision, ensuring that both the state and the country emerge as global leaders in AI development and deployment.