Panaji, Oct 25 The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Sunday welcomed the state’s AI Policy 2026, describing it as a forward-looking initiative that can help diversify the economy beyond tourism and establish it as a hub for knowledge-driven industries, research and innovation.
In a statement, GCCI president Pratima Dhond said the Goa AI Mission 2026 represented an important step towards building a technology-led economy while leveraging the state’s existing strengths in tourism, healthcare, environmental systems and creative industries.
Dhond welcomed the proposed Rs 250 crore Innovation Fund over five years and the target of creating 50,000 AI-ready professionals by 2030, with women accounting for 20 per cent of the target.
She also highlighted the policy’s proposed four-tier ‘Responsible AI’ framework, covering prohibited, high-, medium- and low-risk applications, along with mandatory AI Impact Assessments.
“The approach reflects the importance of balancing technological innovation with citizen safety and responsible deployment of artificial intelligence,” Dhond said.
The policy’s focus on establishing three Centres of Excellence in Coastal and Environmental Systems, Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Tourism and Hospitality was particularly relevant to Goa, Dhond said.
These sectors offered opportunities to apply AI to local challenges while developing new areas of economic activity, she added.
She further welcomed initiatives such as the development of a Konkani Large Language Model (LLM) in collaboration with Bhashini, the introduction of AI as a compulsory subject from Class VI from the 2027-28 academic year, the establishment of AI laboratories in 50 schools and a Centre of Excellence in collaboration with BITS Goa.
“These initiatives could strengthen the industry-academia ecosystem, expand access to AI education and help prepare students and professionals for emerging employment opportunities,” Dhond added.
Describing the policy’s tagline ‘Build from Goa, Scale from Goa’ as particularly appropriate for the state, she said Goa could focus on research and development, design, innovation and creative work, rather than relying solely on land-intensive industries.
The GCCI assured its support for the implementation of the policy and said it would work with the state government to facilitate industry sandboxes, encourage AI adoption among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and strengthen linkages between startups and industry.
The chamber expressed confidence that effective implementation of the policy could help Goa build a stronger technology ecosystem, create skilled employment opportunities and position the state as a destination for responsible AI innovation.
(PTI News)
