Telangana launches ‘AI Saksham’ to train govt employees in AI

Hyderabad: Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Wednesday, October 28, asked state government employees to learn to use artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily work, saying that the time it saves in offices must go back to people as faster and better services.

Vikramarka was speaking after inaugurating “AI Saksham,” a programme to train government employees in AI. It is run by Telangana Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub (TG MATH) with the support of the Planning Department at the Dr MCR HRD Institute here.

TG MATH is a centre of excellence set up jointly by the Union Department of Science and Technology and the state government. It supports more than 180 AI startups.

The programme aims to build the skills of government staff and make administration more efficient, Vikramarka said. He urged employees to keep up with new technology, make full use of the training and apply what they learn to serve the public better.

Faster files, fewer office visits

AI tools can help employees finish routine administrative work faster, the Deputy CM said. They can save time in finding government orders, preparing reports, analysing data and presenting information to the public in simple terms. He asked employees to take part actively in the training and learn how to use AI in ways that suit their own jobs.

The benefits must show in people’s daily lives, he said. A farmer’s application should be cleared faster, a pensioner should get clear information about what they are due and citizens should not have to keep going back to government offices to get their work done.

He asked employees to use the time saved to look more closely at public grievances and improve the quality of services. The real measure of AI in government, he said, would be the positive change it brings to people’s lives.

Finance, planning and power

Vikramarka, who also holds the Finance, Planning and Energy portfolios, said AI tools could help officials analyse public spending, compare project costs and find out why projects are delayed. This would help the government use its resources better and monitor development programmes more closely.

In planning, AI could help track how well government services are delivered in different regions and check whether welfare schemes are reaching everyone who is eligible. This could lead to better plans, he said. But officials must weigh ground realities and people’s experiences alongside the statistics.

In the power sector, AI could help forecast electricity demand, detect faults in equipment and improve maintenance. Used well, the technology would improve power management and services to farmers, industries and hospitals, he said.

Officials remain accountable

The Deputy CM stressed information security, accuracy and accountability in the use of AI. He warned officials not to enter official or personal information into unauthorised AI tools. He also asked them to verify anything AI produces before putting it in official records or basing decisions on it.

Even when technology helps with the work, the final decision and the responsibility for it will stay with the official concerned, he said.

He suggested that every department identify tasks suited to AI and start with pilot projects. The results should be reviewed, and the use of AI expanded based on how much it helps the public, improves efficiency and gets things right.

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