Panaji, Oct 22 The Goa government on Thursday unveiled its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026 and launched a state-level hackathon to promote responsible adoption of the technology, strengthen governance and create new economic opportunities.
The announcements were made at the inaugural session of the two-day Goa AI Tech Conclave 2026 organised by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications at the INOX Courtyard here.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, IT Minister Rohan Khaunte and other senior officials and industry representatives attended the event, held under the theme ‘AI for People, Planet and Progress’.
The AI Policy 2026 lays out a three-year framework for 2026-29, with the government aiming to position Goa as a hub for responsible AI and applied innovation. It focuses on five pillars – skilling and capacity building; startups and industries; capital and investments; policy, governance and infrastructure; and responsible, safe and ethical AI, officials said.
Addressing the gathering, Sawant emphasised the need to expand AI training opportunities for young people across the state.
The AI training programme that began in Porvorim could be extended to other talukas, with the Department of Information Technology and the Education Department working together to establish AI laboratories in educational institutions, the CM said.
Khaunte said the policy, along with the proposed Goa AI Mission 2027, aims to use artificial intelligence to promote inclusive growth, improve citizen-centric governance and generate new economic opportunities.
He also announced plans for an IT Techno Centre in Porvorim, envisaged as a hub for the state’s technology ecosystem, bringing together infrastructure, incubation facilities and collaborative workspaces.
The Goa AI Hackathon was launched to encourage the development of technology-based solutions for governance and public service delivery through a phased implementation strategy, officials said.
In another major initiative, the Department of Information Technology signed a memorandum of understanding with BITS Pilani Goa to establish an AI Centre of Excellence.
The conclave also highlighted efforts to develop a Konkani Large Language Model (LLM) in collaboration with Digital India BHASHINI.
The initiative, based on an agreement signed with the department six months ago, is being undertaken in coordination with the Higher Education Department and the Directorate of Official Languages.
The proposed language model aims to develop localised AI applications for governance, with data collection supported by BhashaDaan, BHASHINI’s crowdsourcing initiative that invites citizens, students and language experts to contribute linguistic data.
Another initiative, Granthika, is designed to support the digitisation and preservation of historical, legal and manuscript records by engaging citizens, including elderly people, in safeguarding the material, officials said.
The event also saw the launch of the ‘Living Library of Goa Rural AI’ report by Hyprlocl and the felicitation of 12 ‘Drone Didis’ who completed foundational drone training and are progressing to advanced courses.
The government also showcased the first batch of 10 AI trainees trained by TAWAI Studio. According to the organisers, some participants secured job opportunities after acquiring AI skills, including one Shradha Sawant, who was placed with McLaren Strategic Solutions.
The conclave brought together industry leaders, startups, researchers, students and representatives from academia to discuss the application of AI in governance, tourism, climate resilience and industrial development.
The programme included panel discussions, industry roundtables, skill development workshops, startup pitching sessions and an exhibition featuring 30 technology experience zones and institutional stalls.
Among the industry participants were CoRover.ai, Adani Global Capability Centres and Quidich Innovation Labs.
The second day of the conclave is scheduled to feature sessions on climate resilience and industrial transformation, according to the organisers.
(PTI News)
