AI Unveils New Frontiers for North-east India's Development

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making significant inroads into the North-east of India, bringing transformative changes to sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and disaster management. A high-level seminar, 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) and North-east India', organized by the Society for Harmonising Aspirations for Responsible Engagement (SHARE), discussed the strategic importance of the region and its potential for technological advancement.

Chaired by IFS (Retd.) Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former Foreign Secretary and Head of Global Affairs at SHARE, the seminar emphasized the North-east's role as India’s gateway to ASEAN nations. Shringla highlighted how integrating AI into governance could bridge gaps and unlock vast developmental potential. He shared an example from the G20 Summit in India, where an innovative app facilitated seamless communication among delegates.

“After the summit, a woman constable spoke about how the app helped her communicate with a delegate, making it easier to give directions and respond without confusion,” Shringla explained. This example underscores the essential role of technology, particularly AI, in modern governance.

IFS Angshuman Dey, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and Chair of the Steering Committee for AI in North-East, framed the conversation around Industry 4.0. “The fourth Industrial Revolution is here and moving fast. It will redefine the North-East’s economic and technological future,” he said. MDoNER is preparing a roadmap to integrate AI in sectors like agriculture, tourism, disaster management, and skill development.

Industry voices echoed optimism. Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director Asia South at NVIDIA India, highlighted the North-east’s potential to harness AI in culturally and ecologically sensitive ways. “The region can map its strengths using AI, and setting up an AI Factory here to create AI tokens and encourage local innovation would be a meaningful step,” he suggested.

IAS Amit Sharma, Secretary, Department of ICT at the Government of Mizoram, noted that Mizoram was already making strides in digital governance, laying the groundwork for AI adoption in service delivery. The lively session, moderated by SHARE Secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, was enriched by the participation of ministry officials, academia, startups, senior journalists, and cybersecurity experts.

The seminar clearly demonstrated the North-east’s readiness to embrace AI, with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development. The region’s unique challenges and opportunities make it a strategic frontier for India’s technological leap and connectivity with South-east Asia.