Odisha to host regional AI impact conference on Dec 19
Bhubaneswar, Dec 17
The Odisha government will host the Regional AI Impact Conference, scheduled to be held from December 19 to 20, setting the tone for a major national-level dialogue on artificial intelligence in governance and public service delivery.
The state Electronics & IT Department on Wednesday held the curtain raiser for the conference, providing an early glimpse into Odisha’s AI vision, policy direction, and its growing portfolio of real-world AI deployments.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Electronics & IT Mukesh Mahaling stated that the state is adopting a future-ready approach to technology-led growth.
He noted that alongside the Odisha AI Policy 2025, progressive policies in FinTech, Global Capability Centres, and advanced electronics are creating a responsible, investor-friendly framework for large-scale AI adoption.
He emphasised that Odisha’s focus is on building a complete innovation ecosystem backed by strong governance, advanced digital capabilities, and long-term policy certainty.
He further added that ahead of the India Impact AI Summit, scheduled to be held in February, regional Impact AI Summits will be organised in eight states, including Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha. Mahaling said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned making Odisha a hub for Artificial Intelligence in India.
Giving priority to Odia identity, the state government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, will implement a language donation programme in Artificial Intelligence, aimed at making Odia content easily accessible to the masses through simplified digital formats.
He said the Regional AI Impact Conference has two key objectives. First, it is aligned with the India AI Impact Summit, scheduled to be held in February 2026, under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
Second, the conference is based on a central theme built around sustainability and inclusive growth, guided by the “Three Ps - Planet, People and Progressâ€, along with sector-focused discussions.
Highlighting Odisha’s priorities, Mahaling said the state has identified key government departments for AI-driven interventions, including Health, Education, Disaster Management, Culture, Parliamentary Affairs, and Women & Child Welfare.
AI tools will be used to improve programme implementation, monitoring, and policy guidance across these sectors.
The Minister also announced a major initiative to promote the Odia language through AI and digital platforms. A new programme titled “Bhasha Dhamâ€, to be launched by the Chief Minister, will focus on making Odia language content widely available on the internet using AI tools.
Under the programme, contributions will be invited from Odia scholars, professors, artists, and writers to create and digitise high-quality Odia content.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see Odisha taking the lead. Hope this translates to real on-ground benefits and doesn't just remain a policy document. AI in disaster management for a cyclone-prone state like Odisha could save lives. Implementation is key.
Making Odisha an AI hub is a bold vision. The focus on "Three Ps - Planet, People and Progress" sounds promising. Let's hope the investment and job opportunities also reach the local youth and aren't cornered by outsiders.
As someone working in tech, the emphasis on a complete innovation ecosystem with policy certainty is crucial for attracting serious investment. Odisha could become a compelling alternative to Bengaluru and Hyderabad if they get this right.
While the intent is good, I have a respectful criticism. We have seen many "vision" conferences. The real test is in deployment and maintenance. AI tools need continuous data and updates. Will the state have the budget and expertise for the long haul? Hope they have a solid plan.
The language donation programme is a beautiful idea! Digitizing Odia literature and making it accessible through AI will be a great service to future generations. Jai Jagannath! 🙠Hope other states with rich literary traditions follow this model.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.