Odisha gets government nod for AI centre of excellence

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has approved establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Odisha, marking a significant expansion of India's AI ecosystem beyond major metropolitan centres.

The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) will oversee implementation of the Bhubaneswar-based centre as part of the government's broader IndiaAI Mission initiative. Blue Cloud, a technology firm, will anchor the project through ₹4 crore in financial commitment alongside provision of industry leadership, mentorship and strategic guidance.

The centre aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in artificial intelligence by supporting startups and research initiatives within the state. By leveraging Blue Cloud's industry expertise and STPI's implementation framework, the facility is positioned to bridge the technology skills gap and nurture emerging talent in the AI sector.

The establishment of regional AI centres reflects the government's strategy to democratise artificial intelligence development across India and reduce geographic concentration of technology infrastructure. Odisha joins a growing list of states receiving government backing for dedicated AI innovation hubs, signalling increased focus on distributed technological capacity-building.