AI likely subject in schools, colleges
Panaji: Highlighting the government’s vision to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), with a strong focus on developing local talent to create home-grown AI solutions, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Rohan Khaunte on Friday said the Goa AI and Deep-Tech Policy will be notified in the next 100 days.
It will guide the state’s AI development across education, governance, industry and research, and will create skilled job opportunities for the Goan youth while positioning the state as a centre for artificial intelligence and deep technology in the country, Khaunte said.
Replying to a Private Member’s Resolution moved by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Lourenco, Khaunte explained that the world is moving from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, where technology works together with humans instead of replacing them. “We’re entering the age of Industry 5.0 where machines work alongside human beings. AI will support human decision-making, creativity and skills while keeping people at the centre,” the minister said.
The resolution to formulate a comprehensive Goa state artificial intelligence and deep-tech policy was withdrawn by Lourenco after Khaunte explained the proposed plans in detail.
According to Khaunte, Goa has a strong digital base to support this transition.
“The Goa Online portal already offers 280 services from 41 departments, reaching citizens and businesses, with 9.1 lakh registered users and 19.9 lakh transactions. Along with growing digital awareness among people, this platform provides a solid foundation to introduce new technologies like the recently introduced AI-powered chatbot,” Khaunte said.
He said that under the Goa AI Mission 2027, launched in 2025, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) is working on four key pillars: skilling, startups and companies, capital, and governance and infrastructure.
“With a strong focus on education and skill development, plans are underway to introduce AI as a subject in schools and colleges, set up AI learning laboratories and train teachers. Study material will be made available in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English to ensure that students from all backgrounds can benefit,” Khaunte said.
The state is also working with institutions such as Indian Institute of Technology Goa, National Institute of Technology Goa, BITS Pilani Goa Campus, Goa Engineering College and Goa Institute of Management to strengthen AI education and research. In parallel, grants and structured support will be extended to AI startups, with specific provisions for women-led startups, the minister said.
A major step in making AI more accessible is the partnership with Bhashini, the language translation mission under Digital India, to develop a Konkani LLM. This will allow AI systems to understand and communicate in Konkani, helping citizens access government services in their local language.
He further said that DITE&C is also working on the AI Kosh initiative, which will ensure that the vast data assets held by government departments are made available responsibly for AI research and innovation.
It is also developing an AI Readiness Index to determine the preparedness of every department to adopt and benefit from artificial intelligence.
Looking ahead, the government also plans to set up an AI Centre of Excellence in Goa. Artificial Intelligence applications are being planned across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, tourism and public service delivery. Initiatives such as the Chips-to-Startup (C2S) programme are also helping build semiconductor design capabilities among students, while 5G Use Case Labs at BITS Pilani Goa Campus and NIT Goa are enabling students and researchers to test next-generation applications, he said.
