Odisha to set up an AI school to build secure, ethical public-sector capability
Odisha is moving to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) school through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed soon. The goal is clear: strengthen the State's digital backbone and build practical AI skills that translate into jobs and better public services.
This institution sits within Odisha's vision for a secure, ethical, and responsible AI ecosystem. It will prioritise capacity building and skill development so students and professionals can move into high-growth roles with confidence.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi announced the move after a high-level meeting with representatives of leading AI company Sarvam. The discussion covered collaboration on knowledge sharing, specialised training, and AI-driven solutions for governance and public service delivery.
The Chief Minister noted that Odisha has introduced its AI Policy 2025-stating it is the first in the country to do so. He also shared that an Odia academic based in Chennai, recognised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, proposed setting up an AI institution in Odisha with State support-underscoring the contributions of Odia innovators and founders.
What the AI school will focus on
- Core disciplines: machine learning, data science, and generative AI.
- Responsible AI practices built into training, labs, and project reviews.
- Functioning as a research and innovation centre with strong industry-academia collaboration.
- Bridging education and employment through internships, applied projects, and co-developed curricula.
Why this matters for government departments
This creates an in-state pipeline of AI-ready talent for public-sector projects. It also enables departments to co-develop solutions that improve service delivery, reduce manual workload, and raise decision quality while staying grounded in ethics and security.
Practical next steps for departments
- List 2-3 high-impact use cases (e.g., grievance triage, benefit-leakage detection, citizen support in Odia, field-inspection analytics).
- Nominate officers for foundational and intermediate AI training; set quarterly learning targets.
- Inventory data assets and quality; set basic data standards, access controls, and privacy checks.
- Plan 90-day pilots with clear metrics (accuracy, turnaround time, cost per case, satisfaction).
- Create a small review panel for responsible AI-covering bias, safety, audit logs, and human oversight.
- Engage with the AI school and partners early on curriculum inputs and internship pipelines.
Expected impact
Once operational, the initiative can lift innovation across departments, attract investment, and position Odisha as a growing hub for AI education and talent in eastern India. The MoU is set to formalise collaboration and accelerate delivery.
Helpful resources
- Government of India: IndiaAI Mission - policy context and national programs.
- Role-based AI learning paths - structured upskilling options teams can use to plan training roadmaps.
Your membership also unlocks:
