Focus on infrastructure, skilling
PANAJI
With a self-imposed 100-day deadline approaching, the State government has said that the much-anticipated artificial intelligence policy is under active revision as fresh rounds of consultations continue to reshape its contours.
At a meeting on Tuesday, officials from the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications presented a revised draft of the policy to members of the Goa Technology Association, incorporating feedback from industry and institutional stakeholders. The government had, in the Budget session, assured to finalise the policy within 100 days.
The latest round of deliberations focused on aligning the policy with the needs of industry, particularly start-ups, which raised concerns over implementation challenges and the absence of clear support mechanisms. Representatives highlighted the need for stronger infrastructure, access to funding and defined pathways for deploying AI solutions in governance and public services.
IT Minister Rohan Khaunte, who joined the interaction, sought direct inputs from stakeholders, asking about the difficulties faced by companies working in the AI space. Officials said these concerns would be factored into the final version, pointing to a policy still in development rather than one nearing completion.
The government has sought to build the policy through a consultative process, drawing at least 57 suggestions from industry bodies, trade groups and educational institutions. Many of these recommendations centre on time-bound implementation, skilling initiatives and expanding the use of A.I. across sectors relevant to Goa.
The policy is expected to anchor the broader “Goa AI Mission 2027,” which includes plans for an AI chatbot for citizen services, the introduction of AI education in schools and colleges, and the establishment of a centre of excellence. Efforts are also underway to develop a Konkani-language AI model.
