TLDR: The Odisha government has made Artificial Intelligence (AI) training mandatory for all its officers, launching workshops and a three-month online course to integrate AI into governance. This initiative, driven by the E&IT Department and partners like the Wadhwani Foundation, aims to enhance public service delivery, administrative efficiency, and position Odisha as a national leader in AI-driven digital transformation.
In a significant stride towards modernizing public administration, the Odisha government has mandated Artificial Intelligence (AI) training for all its state officers. This forward-looking initiative aims to bolster e-governance, enhance administrative efficiency, and improve public service delivery across various departments. The directive, issued by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a digitally competent and future-ready workforce capable of leveraging emerging technologies for better public service.
As part of this comprehensive program, officers across departments are required to complete a three-month online foundational course in AI. This training will cover essential AI concepts and practical applications relevant to public administration, including data analysis, predictive governance, and digital service optimization. Departments have been instructed to designate Nodal Officers to monitor enrollment and track the progress of officials, with a consolidated report of course completion to be submitted to the Chief Secretary’s office.
The initiative was further highlighted by a pioneering day-long workshop titled “AI and Emerging Technologies for Government Digital Transformation,” organized by the Odisha government’s Electronics and Information Technology (E&IT) Department in collaboration with the Wadhwani Foundation. Held at the State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhavan, the event marked the first in a series of training sessions designed to equip government officials with crucial AI skills.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, addressing the workshop as the chief guest, emphasized AI’s transformative potential. He stated, “AI can radically simplify how citizens interact with the state, turning complex processes into seamless ones. Our officers must embrace emerging technologies to build responsible, AI-driven systems that deliver faster, transparent, and efficient services. This is Odisha’s opportunity to lead nationally.”
Principal Secretary of the E&IT Department, Vishal Dev, outlined Odisha’s ambitious roadmap for AI adoption, declaring, “We are positioning Odisha as a national leader in AI through the upcoming Odisha AI Policy and the launch of the Odisha AI Mission.” He also highlighted partnerships with NASSCOM, the Wadhwani Foundation, and the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence in Bhubaneswar, reflecting a robust commitment to a thriving AI ecosystem.
The workshop provided hands-on exposure to AI applications in governance, exploring generative AI tools, their role in complex analysis and content generation, and implementation models prioritizing privacy, security, data ethics, and bias mitigation. Participants engaged with real-world AI projects, including a generative AI assistant for teachers, a citizen engagement platform, and an AI tool for at-home screening of pregnant women.
Earlier initiatives also include a Tech-Bootcamp on Artificial Intelligence – Principles and Practices held at the National Informatics Center (NIC), Bhubaneswar, where over 60 officers from various departments participated. Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, highlighted AI’s utility in agriculture for tasks like field harvesting, health monitoring, and pest control. Shri Dasarathy Satpathy, Secretary, Odisha Legislative Assembly, noted AI’s potential for assistance services to Members of Legislative Assembly, such as chatbot-based conversational interfaces and automating legislative drafting.
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Odisha’s collaboration with the India AI Mission focuses on key pillars such as compute infrastructure, skilling, innovation, and ethical frameworks. The state is also advancing linguistic AI initiatives, including AI for the Odia language and cultural preservation, in partnership with IIT Bhubaneswar, BHASHINI, and C-DAC. These concerted efforts aim to build AI awareness, initiate pilot projects, and institutionalize AI-led governance across all sectors, positioning Odisha as a potential national hub for AI innovation.
