Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Tuesday emphasized the importance of capacity building in Artificial Intelligence (AI) among government officers.
Highlighting the transformative potential of AI in public governance, Ahuja directed all Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioner-cum-Secretaries, and District Collectors to encourage officers under their jurisdiction to enroll in free online AI courses.
The Chief Secretary underscored the relevance of AI in the future of governance, noting that innovations in this field are rapidly changing how governments interact with citizens, manage grievances, analyze data, and plan service delivery. He said that developing a working knowledge of AI tools and applications is now essential for officers to make informed decisions, create citizen-centric policies, and improve overall administrative efficiency.
As part of this initiative, all government departments have been asked to ensure that their officers complete at least one foundational course in AI within a three-month period. These courses, available at no cost on various reputable platforms, are designed to provide both theoretical understanding and practical insights into AI’s applications in governance.
The Chief Secretary specifically recommended several online learning resources, including AI modules available on the iGOT Karmayogi portal — featuring courses by the Ministry of Communications, the Wadhwani Institute of Technology and Policy, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru. Other suggested platforms include “AI for All” developed by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Intel, “AI for Everyone” by DeepLearning.ai, and the internationally acclaimed “Elements of AI” course from the University of Helsinki.
To ensure smooth implementation, departments have been directed to appoint a Nodal Officer responsible for facilitating enrollments, monitoring progress, and compiling a report on course completion. This report is to be submitted to the Office of the Chief Secretary within the stipulated time frame.
Ahuja also sought the active cooperation of all departmental heads and district collectors, reiterating that this initiative aligns with the broader objective of creating a future-ready, technologically empowered administrative ecosystem in Odisha.
