AI can radically transform governance: Chief Secretary Ahuja

Bhubaneswar: “AI has the potential to radically transform governance and simplify how citizens interact with the State. What is complex today can become seamless tomorrow, with the use of AI,” said Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, inaugurating the consultative workshop on Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies in governance.
He emphasized the need for government officers to embrace and understand these technologies, calling it an opportunity for Odisha to lead the country in building responsible, AI-driven public systems that deliver faster, better, and more transparent services.
The workshop, jointly organized by the Electronics and Information Technology (E&IT) Department of the Odisha Government, and the Wadhwani Foundation, was held at the Odisha State Convention Centre, Lokseva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. This was the first in a series of training initiatives aimed at equipping government officials with AI competencies, as part of the State’s broader strategy for digital transformation and improved governance.
In his address, Principal Secretary of the E&IT Department, Vishal Dev, outlined a comprehensive vision to position Odisha as a national frontrunner in AI adoption. “We are taking decisive steps to position Odisha as a national leader in AI. The Odisha AI Policy will be notified shortly, and the Odisha AI Mission will be launched to drive coordinated efforts across sectors,” he said. He further highlighted key initiatives, including the upcoming AI Centre of Excellence in Bhubaneswar, strategic partnerships with NASSCOM and Wadhwani Foundation, and ongoing collaborations with the IndiaAI Mission to pilot AI solutions across government departments.
Wadhwani Foundation’s CEO, Prakash Kumar, lauded Odisha’s efforts, stating, “It is encouraging to see Odisha taking strong steps toward AI-driven governance. We will work closely with the Government to identify high-impact problem statements and develop scalable, responsible AI solutions.”
The workshop was designed to give officials hands-on exposure to real-world applications of Artificial Intelligence in governance. Sessions explored the capabilities of Generative AI, its use in content generation and complex analysis, and implementation models rooted in privacy, ethics, and bias mitigation. Examples discussed included a GenAI assistant for teachers, citizen engagement platforms, and AI-driven health screening for expectant mothers.
The agenda also focused on data-driven policy planning and real-time monitoring using predictive analytics. Participants discussed structured frameworks for moving from innovative ideas to proof-of-concept pilots, scaling up successful solutions, and integrating AI into departmental processes. As a follow-up, participants will identify governance challenges within their departments, collaborate with the Wadhwani Foundation for feasibility analysis, and receive expert mentorship on potential solutions.
The workshop also reinforced the State’s engagement with the IndiaAI Mission’s pillars — including compute infrastructure, capacity building, financing, innovation, ethical AI frameworks, and curated datasets. A special emphasis was placed on linguistic AI, particularly promoting AI applications for the Odia language and cultural preservation in collaboration with IIT Bhubaneswar, BHASHINI, and C-DAC.
With such initiatives, the Government of Odisha aims to build institutional readiness, kickstart AI pilots, and pave the way for the institutionalization of AI-led governance. These efforts are expected to contribute meaningfully to Odisha’s aspiration of becoming a national hub for AI innovation and ensuring inclusive, ethical, and effective technology deployment in public service.