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Odisha's AI Hub to Create 5,000 High-Skilled Jobs, Pivots State Economy

Odisha is establishing India's first sovereign AI hub, which is projected to generate 5,000 highly skilled direct and indirect jobs. The project follows a major proposal and investment from Indian startup Sarvam AI, amounting to approximately Rs 20,000 crore. State officials highlight Odisha's pioneering AI policy and revised semiconductor frameworks as key drivers to attract this investment and shift the economy from mining to technology. Additional initiatives, including a forthcoming fintech policy, aim to build on this momentum for sustained high-tech growth.

Key Points: Odisha AI Hub to Generate 5,000 Jobs with Sarvam AI Investment

  • 5,000 high-skilled jobs expected
  • Rs 20,000 crore Sarvam AI investment
  • First state with an AI policy
  • Diversifying from mining to tech
  • New fintech policy upcoming
3 min read

New Sovereign AI hub to create 5,000 high-skilled jobs in Odisha following Sarvam AI MoU: Odisha's Additional Chief Secretary of Energy & IT

Odisha's new sovereign AI hub, backed by Sarvam AI's Rs 20,000 crore investment, aims to create 5,000 high-skilled jobs and transform the state's economy.

"The facility is likely to create 5,000 very highly skilled direct and indirect jobs for setting up an AI-optimised facility. - Vishal Kumar Dev"

Bhubaneswar, February 11

The establishment of India's first sovereign AI hub in Odisha is expected to generate 5,000 highly skilled direct and indirect jobs, marking a significant shift in the state's economic landscape, says Odisha's Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev in an interview with. He further confirmed that the upcoming facility will focus on specialised roles to support an AI-optimised infrastructure, positioning the state as a major player in the global technology race.

"The facility is likely to create 5,000 very highly skilled direct and indirect jobs for setting up an AI-optimised facility," Dev stated, emphasising the human impact of the project. He noted that the initiative is designed to bolster the AI ecosystem not just within the state, but across the entire country.

The project follows a strategic proposal from Sarvam AI, a leading Indian startup, which plans to invest approximately Rs 20,000 crore (USD 2.3 billion) to set up the hub. This facility will serve as a cornerstone for the state's digital transformation, transitioning Odisha from its traditional roots in mining and metals toward a technology-driven future.

Reflecting on the state's readiness for such massive investment, Dev highlighted Odisha's pioneering role in policy making. "We were the first state in the country to come up with an AI policy, which is again very beneficial to investors coming in. We want the policy to lead to growth of the AI ecosystem within the state," he said. The investment will be eligible for significant incentives under the state's Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) as well as its specific IT and AI frameworks.

The move is part of a broader push to diversify the state's industrial base. Odisha has already revised its semiconductor and IT policies to attract global interest. Dev revealed that the state is currently witnessing a surge in demand, with applications for nearly 4.5 lakh square feet of space from various companies looking to establish centers in new IT parks and towers.

"Odisha has traditionally been a very mine and metals, minerals-driven economy. But in the last years, there have been so many technological changes," Dev explained. "We want to capitalise on these changes that have happened, leverage the changes that have happened; we've therefore put in place an appropriate policy framework."

In addition to the AI hub, the state is finalising a new fintech policy, expected to be announced within the next two months. These combined efforts aim to ensure that the 5,000 new jobs created by the Sarvam AI hub are just the beginning of a larger wave of high-tech employment opportunities in the region.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Aman W
As someone from Bhubaneswar, I'm thrilled! We've seen so much growth in IT over the last decade. This AI hub will put us on the global map. Hope the local colleges and training institutes start preparing students for these specialised roles now itself.
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Robert G
Interesting development. A $2.3 billion investment from an Indian startup is impressive. The key will be execution - ensuring the infrastructure and talent pipeline are ready. If successful, this could be a blueprint for other states.
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Karthik V
While this is promising, I hope the benefits reach the local communities and aren't just limited to imported talent from other states. There should be a strong focus on upskilling Odia youth. The "indirect jobs" part needs more clarity too.
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Shreya B
Jai Jagannath! 🙏 This is the kind of diversification Odisha needs. We have immense potential beyond mining. A sovereign AI hub can attract more investments and create a proper tech ecosystem. Hope they also focus on women in tech through this initiative.
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Nikhil C
Good step, but let's be realistic. 5,000 jobs is a projection. The real test is how many materialise and what the quality of those jobs will be. Also, "sovereign AI" is a buzzword – hope it translates to actual innovation and not just another IT park.

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