JAIPUR — Rajasthan hosted a regional conference on artificial intelligence this week as the central and state governments launched new initiatives aimed at widening AI skills training and encouraging the use of the technology in public services and industry.
The Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference, held on Tuesday, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, startups and academics to discuss AI applications in governance, infrastructure, innovation and workforce development, the Union electronics and IT ministry said in a statement.
The event is part of a series of regional meetings being held ahead of the India AI Impact Summit, scheduled from Feb 15 to Feb 20, which the government has positioned as a platform to discuss AI adoption for public benefit and economic growth.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who joined virtually, said the government wanted AI-powered capabilities to reach households and enterprises more widely. He said a programme had been launched to train one million young people in AI skills so that India’s workforce is better prepared for the technology’s expansion.
Jitin Prasada, minister of state for electronics and IT, said the government has committed an investment of ₹10,000 crore under the India AI Mission to support AI adoption in sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education and the environment. He said the aim was to improve incomes, ease of living and productivity through what he described as responsible and inclusive use of AI.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said the state has introduced an AI and machine learning policy aimed at making public service delivery faster, more transparent and more citizen-centric, while supporting innovation-led growth.
The ministry said the conference included the launch of YUVA AI for All, a national AI literacy campaign built around a short, self-paced foundational course.
Rajasthan also launched its AI and machine learning policy and an AI portal, alongside an iStart learning management system intended to support skill development and entrepreneurship.
The statement said Rajasthan launched an AVGC-XR portal focused on animation, visual effects, gaming, comics and extended reality as part of efforts to support digital content industries.
It also said memoranda of understanding were signed with Google, IIT Delhi, National Law University Jodhpur and the Skill Development Network of the Wadhwani Foundation to support research, skilling, ethical frameworks and innovation ecosystems.
A strategic session at the conference included a discussion between MeitY additional secretary Abhishek Singh, who is also chief executive of the IndiaAI Mission, and Nvidia South Asia managing director Vishal Dhupar on AI infrastructure, public-private collaboration and approaches to responsible AI, the statement said.
