Panaji: The department of information technology, electronics and communications aims to train and certify 50,000 people in artificial intelligence (AI) in Goa by 2030, IT minister Rohan Khaunte said on Saturday. He said building a pool of AI-skilled talent would prepare students and young professionals for a changing economy where the technology is becoming increasingly important.Khaunte announced that the Goa AI Policy would be launched during the AI Tech Conclave, scheduled to be held on Oct 22 and 23 by the startup and IT promotion Cell (SITPC).“AI must bring practical value to citizen’s everyday life. A strong AI ecosystem requires more than access to technology. We need the ability to understand, develop and apply it to our needs,” Khaunte said. Govt aims to use AI to make public services more responsive and efficient, he added.He said Goa had skilled manpower, but most IT professionals relied on technologies developed elsewhere in the world. He said Goan professionals needed to move beyond using existing technology and focus on designing, developing and promoting solutions that could compete globally.“We are launching the AI policy during the conclave. We have taken a structured approach to AI development. Skilling becomes a key priority. Building that capability is central to our AI approach,” Khaunte said.The minister said govt wanted to position Goa not just as a tourist destination but also as a place to work, innovate, collaborate and build businesses. AI was reshaping governance, industry and technology, and the state wanted its people and businesses to participate in this transformation, he said.Khaunte also highlighted the potential of a sovereign AI platform to benefit the tourism department, while stressing the importance of responsible data use and governance.“Responsible data use and governance is central. Goa AI Tech Conclave brings all these priorities together. A Konkani large language model is in the works and will be launched soon. Platforms like Bhashini will help us address all the barriers because of language,” he said.The proposed Konkani language model is expected to support the development of AI applications in the local language, while initiatives such as Bhashini could help overcome language barriers and improve access to digital services. The conclave is expected to bring together stakeholders to discuss AI adoption, skill development and opportunities to build a stronger technology ecosystem in Goa.
