Latest news with #GovernmentDigitalTransformation
Hans India
26-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Govt to identify AI champions to spearhead digital transformation initiatives
Vijayawada: On the second day of the high-level workshop on 'AI and Emerging Technologies for Government Digital Transformation', RTGS Secretary Bhaskar Katamaneni on Friday announced that 20 departments will be shortlisted to identify AI Champions, who will undergo a four-day intensive training programme. These departments, selected strategically to cover approximately 80 per cent of government operations, will work in close coordination with the IT Department and WGDT to identify department-specific problems that can be converted into Proof of Concept (PoC) solutions and later scaled into full-fledged implementations. The workshop is being held in collaboration with Wadhwani Centre for Government Digital Transformation (WGDT) at Secretariat. He said that the government envisions that 100 to 150 projects will emerge from this initiative, aimed at improving governance, service delivery, and impact measurement. The process will culminate with these departments submitting their AI-enabled PoCs to a jury comprising senior government officials and industry experts. Digital transformation, driven by emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), is vital for achieving the Government's vision of 'Minimum Government – Maximum Governance'. The state government recognises the growing need to accelerate AI adoption in internal workflows for efficient service delivery, economic development, and real-time impact analysis. This initiative is inspired by the success of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), which two decades ago created a cadre of eGov Champions to drive digital projects. The current programme, drawing on that legacy, aims to empower a new generation of AI leaders capable of integrating advanced technologies ethically and efficiently into public governance. The training includes in-person workshops, mentorship from subject matter experts, and structured project development. Each department will form a team of 3–4 members, including at least one officer at the rank of Director or above who will serve as the AI Champion, and other enthusiastic officers who will be trained as AI Catalysts. With this forward-looking initiative, the Government of Andhra Pradesh reinforces its commitment to place innovation at the heart of governance and service delivery.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
‘AI Champions' will undergo four-day intensive training programme, says RTGS official
Top officials from various departments took part in the high-level workshop on 'AI and Emerging Technologies for Government Digital Transformation', on the second day on Friday. The workshop was designed to enhance awareness and capacity among senior and mid-level officers to implement AI-driven innovations across government functions. During the session, RTGS Secretary Bhaskar Katamaneni said 20 departments would be shortlisted to identify AI Champions (Change Agents), who would undergo a four-day intensive training programme. These departments, selected strategically to cover approximately 80% of government operations, would work in close coordination with the IT Department and WGDT to identify department-specific problems that could be converted into Proof of Concept (PoC) solutions, and later scaled to full-fledged implementation, he said. 'The government envisions that 100 to 150 projects will emerge from this initiative, aimed at improving governance, service delivery, and impact measurement. The process will culminate with these departments submitting their AI-enabled PoCs to a jury comprising senior government officials and industry experts,' he said. On the second day, 100 AI Champions and 200 AI Catalysts from various departments continued their hands-on training. These officials were being specially groomed to drive digital transformation across government sectors using cutting-edge technology. AI Champions would serve as key agents of digital change within their respective departments. Their responsibilities include formulating a clear AI strategy, identifying AI projects in collaboration with experts, leading their implementation, assessing relevant technologies, and facilitating upskilling within departments. AI Catalysts would support the digital transformation journey within their departments. Their roles cover project management, knowledge-sharing as subject matter experts, facilitating effective communication and collaboration, supporting capacity-building initiatives, and monitoring and evaluating AI projects.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
A new era begins; AI must power governance with a human touch: Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu
Setting the tone for Andhra Pradesh's digital future, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday (April 24, 2025) stated that the State is entering a new era of governance powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) — one that prioritises smart systems, human-centric solutions, and real-time delivery of services. Mr. Naidu was addressing a workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies for Government Digital Transformation at the Secretariat. Recounting his journey from struggling for a 2 Mbps internet connection to launching data-driven governance, the Chief Minister highlighted Andhra Pradesh's long-standing commitment to technological leadership. 'Back then, BSNL gave me 2 Mbps – and I used it for audio and video. Today, we're talking about Gigabits,' he said, crediting the deregulation of the telecom sector and early e-governance initiatives as game-changers. Underscoring that systems must empower governance, not restrict it, Mr. Naidu said 'We have the best brains in the country, especially in the IAS. But our systems make them inefficient. We must now rewrite old, archaic laws and embrace smart, digital systems. The Chief Minister called for a mindset shift: 'Hard work is no longer enough. We must focus on smart, flexible work,' he said, highlighting how digitised file systems, real-time decision-making, and bandwidth-led connectivity are enabling new ways of governance 'Mr. Naidu advocated for every department to develop an AI Champion who would identify and lead the adoption of use cases. From the deployment of drones to control illegal cultivation to Aadhaar-linked home deliveries during disasters,' the Chief Minister shared successful examples of how technology, when used wisely, can transform public service. 'Every family must have someone who prepares or applies use cases. This is how we ensure that technology serves the people,' he said. Speaking passionately about the integration of massive datasets through a State-run Data Lake, enabling predictive governance, Mr. Naidu said the government will integrate all data, and the Planning Department must use it to prepare for the future. Andhra Pradesh would fully saturate critical infrastructure such as housing and sanitation by 2028 or 2029 and leverage Public-Private-People Partnerships (P4) to uplift underprivileged families. The Chief Minister expressed strong confidence in achieving 15% economic growth, stating that such ambitious targets are not beyond reach. Drawing a comparison with Telangana, he highlighted how the region transformed from being largely agrarian two and a half decades ago to now having the highest per capita income in the country, driven by balanced growth across agriculture, industry, and services. Reflecting on Andhra Pradesh's own journey, he noted that when he first initiated development efforts, the industrial landscape was sparse. However, since 1995, a wave of new industries has emerged, supported by second-generation reforms. These reforms have not only modernised the economy but also nurtured a vibrant ecosystem of second-generation entrepreneurs who are now steering Andhra Pradesh's economic transformation. Despite the transformative power of AI, Mr. Naidu stressed the importance of human empathy in governance. 'Technology must solve people's problems. It must have a human angle,' he said, adding that 75% of grievances are land-related, and digitization of land records — a project he initiated in Telangana — is a critical step forward. Reflecting on the journey of Indian innovation, he noted: 'We once watched ISRO's satellites in awe. Today, Indian startups are building satellites for ₹30 crore. The world is watching us now.' The Chief Minister described the workshop as a landmark step. 'We are creating proof-of-concept models to show the country how AI-led governance can work. We are at the beginning of an inspiring era.' Earlier, R Chandrasekhar, former Secretary, MEITY and DOT, spoke on the Role of AI and technology in good governance and said that resolving problems faced by people requires vision and bureaucratic will. 'Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who was the CM of the combined Andhra Pradesh, then realised that IT could be used in governance. The whole nation realised that A.P. was doing something and they wanted to learn from us,' he said, adding that A.P. hosted two e-Governance conferences that kept the IT ball running in the country. 'A Vision similar to that of Chandrababu Naidu is needed at the State level. The two-day workshop on 'AI and Emerging Technologies for Government Digital Transformation' is being held in Amaravati in collaboration with the Wadhwani Centre for Government Digital Transformation. It is designed to build awareness and capacity among senior and mid-level government officers to understand and implement AI-based innovations in governance. Participants will gain exposure to real-world use cases, discuss implementation strategies, and contribute to a roadmap that aligns with Andhra Pradesh's vision of becoming a model state for AI-enabled, citizen-first governance. This workshop will serve as the foundation for a new governance paradigm — one where AI, data, and innovation are deeply integrated into public service delivery. With Andhra Pradesh leading the way, the future of governance in India looks digital, dynamic, and deeply impactful.
Times of Oman
15-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Digital accessibility guide launched
Muscat: The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, represented by the National Programme for Government Digital Transformation 'Tahawul,' on Tuesday launched the Digital Accessibility Guide. The initiative aims to enhance digital inclusion and ensure that services are accessible to all segments of society, including people with disabilities and the elderly. The guide seeks to assist mobile application and website developers in adopting practices that ensure all users can access and benefit from their applications by implementing digital accessibility principles. It also focuses on enabling institutions to design applications and websites that comply with digital accessibility standards, reducing the costs associated with later accessibility modifications. The guide targets mobile application and website development teams and supervisors in both the public and private sectors. This includes project managers, user experience and interface designers, software developers, digital content writers, digital accessibility specialists, and quality engineers. It also serves as a reference for application owners who contract with developers, as well as stakeholders in digital accessibility for people with disabilities, senior management, and decision-makers. The guide provides a set of instructions to help developers achieve digital accessibility in mobile applications and websites and explains how to measure their accessibility levels.
