NTI, Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed high hopes for Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for growth in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, healthcare, and education in Uttarakhand. He believes AI can also be instrumental in mitigating the impacts of disasters and climate change.
To bolster the state’s AI capabilities, Dhami announced the establishment of a Center of Excellence during an AI seminar held at his residence on Monday. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to harness AI’s potential for the state’s development, anticipating significant advancements in ecology, economy, technology, accountability, and sustainable development.
The state government has formulated a roadmap to integrate AI technology with its Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on science and technology, Uttarakhand aims to become a leading state through rapid development across various sectors. The state’s recent achievement of the top position in the Sustainable Development Goals index is cited as evidence of its progress.
Dhami highlighted Uttarakhand’s rich natural resources, cultural heritage, and human capital, emphasizing the potential of AI to optimize the utilization of these assets. He specifically mentioned agriculture, tourism, healthcare, and education as sectors ripe for AI-driven transformation. Additionally, he underscored AI’s role in enhancing disaster preparedness and climate change understanding.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of creating a conducive environment for AI development through collaboration with the central government. He envisions the establishment of effective AI systems with the support of various state institutions.
Director-General of UCOST, Prof. Durgesh Pant, characterized the current era as the “age of AI,” emphasizing Uttarakhand’s potential as a hub for spiritual and scientific solutions. He advocated for the integration of AI across sectors, including agriculture, tourism, governance, livelihood, and healthcare.
Other attendees, including Dinesh Tyagi and Prof. OPS Negi, stressed the importance of AI education at the school and college levels. The seminar was attended by key officials, including the Vice Chairman of the Infrastructure Monitoring Council, Vishwas Dabur, Secretary Nitesh Jha, and Vice Chancellors of various universities.
In essence, Uttarakhand is positioning itself as a frontrunner in AI adoption, aiming to leverage the technology for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and improved public services.
