Bhubaneswar: In the landmark steps towards digital transformation, the Odisha government has mandated all state officials to receive basic training in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve administrative efficiency and governance.
The notice issued by Chief Secretary (CS) Manoj Ahuja directed all departments to ensure that its officials take at least one introductory online AI course. The directive is designed to provide basic AI knowledge to the state’s administrative workforce to better serve citizens and simplify actions.
“AI has the potential to innovate governance – from simplifying public access to government services to enable predictive analytics, wise grievance remediation systems, and effective planning and monitoring,” the official letter said.
The plan forms part of Odisha’s broader strategy to develop digital and future bureaucracies. Officials must complete basic AI courses within three months. These courses, available for free on reputable online platforms, cover key concepts, tools and practical applications of AI.
The department has been directed to appoint a node official to coordinate the launch of the training to facilitate officer enrollment and monitoring course completion. The merged progress report must be submitted to the Office of the Chief Secretary within a specified time frame.
As AI increasingly affects the impact of public administration, the government sees this move as crucial for smarter decision-making and data-driven policy design. The Chief Secretary stressed that AI literacy is crucial to providing efficient, civic-centric governance in the digital age.
