Odisha’s Chief Secretary, Manoj Ahuja, has emphasized the importance of capacity building for officers in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through free online courses available on various platforms.
In a letter addressed to all Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioner-cum-Secretaries of the Government, and all District Collectors, Chief Secretary Ahuja highlighted the necessity of learning AI and stated that this initiative aligns with the State Government’s broader goal of developing a digitally proficient, future-ready administrative workforce.
It is increasingly clear that innovations such as AI will play a crucial role in shaping the future of governance. AI has the potential to bring transformative changes in government operations, making it easier for citizens to engage with the government, as well as enabling predictive analytics, intelligent grievance redressal systems, planning, and monitoring of service delivery outcomes.
Chief Secretary Ahuja also stressed the need for officers in the State Administration to acquire a working knowledge of the principles, tools, and applications of AI. Understanding these technologies is essential not only for informed decision-making but also for designing citizen-centric policies, managing large-scale data systems, and enhancing administrative responsiveness.
To this end, he requested all departments to instruct their officers to mandatorily enroll in and complete at least one foundational course in Artificial Intelligence. These courses are available free of charge on reputable platforms and are designed to provide both conceptual understanding and practical insights.
He recommended several platforms, including:
1. Online Courses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the iGOT Karmayogi Portal, which include:
– Basic Concepts of Artificial Intelligence (by the Ministry of Communications – Department of Telecommunications)
– AI for Digital Transformation: Machine Learning and Deep Learning (by Wadhwani Institute of Technology and Policy)
– AI in Government: Transforming Public Service Delivery (by the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru)
2. AI for All – https://ai-for-all.in (developed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in partnership with Intel)
3. AI for Everyone – https://www.deeplearning.ai//courses/ai-for-everyone
4. Elements of AI – https://www.elementsofai.com (a free online course offered by the University of Helsinki, Finland)
Chief Secretary Ahuja has also instructed that officers complete these courses within three months from the date of this communication. Departments are advised to designate a Nodal Officer to oversee implementation, facilitate enrollment, and ensure timely compliance. A consolidated report detailing the number of officers who have completed these courses is to be submitted to the Office of the Chief Secretary within the specified period.
Additionally, Chief Secretary Ahuja has sought the active cooperation of all Secretaries and Collectors to ensure the success of this important initiative.
