Odisha hosts 2-day regional AI summit, focus is on sustainable AI future

Bhubaneswar, Odisha – The Regional AI Impact Summit 2025 has officially commenced in Bhubaneswar, organized by the Electronics and Information Technology Department of the Odisha government. This two-day event gathers a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and startups, to explore scalable public AI solutions centered around three critical themes: People, Planet, and Progress. Odisha's Minister Mukesh Mahaling announced that this summit will pave the way for future regional AI discussions, following the IndiaAI Summit scheduled in Delhi for February 2026. He emphasized that the summit will address two key concerns regarding a sustainable AI future, aiming to leverage AI for enhancing governance structures. Saurabh Garg, Secretary of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, highlighted the summit's goal of democratizing AI technology. He stated that AI should be accessible to all, regardless of one's familiarity with technology. Discussions will cover various aspects, including multilingual accessibility, the utilization of local datasets, and the importance of data security, ethics, and safety in AI systems. Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary of the Energy & IT Department, asserted that Odisha is the first Indian state to implement an AI policy, aiming to maintain its leadership in AI governance and attract investments in the sector. He referenced the Prime Minister's vision for a large-scale impact summit in 2026, which focuses on the welfare and happiness of all citizens through AI. The minister further explained that the Odisha government launched its AI mission in June 2023, mirroring the India AI mission. This initiative identifies priority areas such as enhancing productivity and governance in health, education, and disaster management through AI use cases. They are also focusing on increasing government productivity and raising awareness about AI among citizens. India's approach to AI governance emphasizes inclusivity and innovation, shaped by global legal frameworks and extensive stakeholder consultations. The upcoming India-AI Impact Summit 2026, set for February 16-20 in New Delhi, symbolizes India’s expanding role in the global AI dialogue, following significant international summits focused on AI safety and action. This summit in Odisha marks a significant step toward integrating AI into everyday life and governance, with a commitment to ensuring that the technology serves the greater good of society.