Months after Govt directive, most deptts yet to identify AI projects for governance reforms

*Steering committee to review progress shortly

Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, June 13: Jammu and Kashmir's ambitious plan to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for governance and public service delivery has made limited progress as months after the directions for identifying sector-specific AI interventions most departments yet to complete the crucial first step.

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In March this year, detailed deliberations were held with stakeholders on the adoption and expansion of Artificial Intelligence in governance and delivery of public services across Jammu and Kashmir. The discussions focused on exploring AI-based interventions in a range of citizen-centric sectors and creating a robust institutional and technological framework for accelerating AI initiatives in the Union Territory.

During the meeting, stakeholders were apprised of how advanced technologies could improve administrative efficiency, strengthen decision-making and enhance accessibility of Government services.

Observing that Artificial Intelligence offers enormous potential to transform governance and improve the quality and reach of public services, all departments were directed to proactively identify areas where AI-driven solutions could improve efficiency, transparency and outcomes in their respective sectors. However, only a few departments have so far identified such areas, official sources told EXCELSIOR.

The slow pace of progress has raised concerns over the implementation of the broader AI governance framework proposed during the March deliberations.

"Without clearly identified departmental projects, the proposed high-level Steering Committee headed by an officer of the rank of Additional Chief Secretary will have limited scope to guide implementation, resolve operational bottlenecks and monitor progress", sources said.

They added that the exercise for identification and deployment of specialised human resources to support AI initiatives and ensure effective implementation on the ground has also not been undertaken so far.

Quoting examples of the delay, sources said the School Education Department is yet to examine the introduction of basic AI courses at the secondary level, while AI-focused skill development programmes envisaged under Mission YUVA have not been rolled out.

While the vision document prepared for AI adoption outlined applications across nearly every major governance sector, the foundational steps considered essential for translating that vision into reality-identification of departmental projects, creation of implementation structures, deployment of specialised manpower and introduction of AI-oriented education and skill programmes are still awaiting execution.

An officer of the Information Technology Department, when contacted, acknowledged that many departments are yet to identify areas where Artificial Intelligence can be deployed to improve governance and public service delivery.

"We will shortly convene a meeting of the Steering Committee to assess the progress made by various departments and issue necessary directions accordingly", the officer said. He disclosed that the Government would collaborate with IIT Jammu for creation of the required AI infrastructure.

"IIT Jammu has already made substantial progress in the field of Artificial Intelligence and its expertise will be of immense value. While the institute will help create the necessary infrastructure, Government departments will be the end users", he said.

The Information Technology Department has already been tasked with establishing a dedicated anchoring mechanism to coordinate AI-related initiatives across different departments.

It is pertinent to mention that the IndiaAI Mission, an initiative of the Government of India aimed at building domestic Artificial Intelligence capabilities and driving socio-economic transformation, has assured full support to Jammu and Kashmir for its AI programmes.

During the March deliberations, the Mission's CEO had recommended creation of a core AI team within the Union Territory to guide implementation locally and advised the Government to initially identify five priority sectors for pilot-based AI deployment.

Despite these recommendations and the institutional framework proposed earlier this year, Jammu and Kashmir's AI governance drive is yet to move decisively from planning to implementation.