Bhubaneswar: The state cabinet on Wednesday approved a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy-2025, establishing the state as one of the pioneers in AI-driven governance and innovation in India. The landmark policy introduces the ‘Odisha AI Mission’ as its cornerstone initiative.Briefing media persons after the cabinet meeting, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja said efforts will be made to create infrastructure needed for promoting AI, besides skilling manpower. “Improvement of administration using AI and promoting AI startups will be among the govt’s initiatives under the new policy,” he said.The policy framework rests on four key pillars — AI infrastructure, skills development, energy sustainability, and regulatory mechanisms. It aims to accelerate the state’s digital transformation while promoting responsible AI adoption across sectors.“The Odisha AI Mission will serve as the apex body for implementing AI initiatives across departments,” said a statement issued by the electronics and IT department. The mission will operate through a two-tiered structure, comprising a high-level AI taskforce and an AI cell at the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC).The policy identifies several priority sectors for AI implementation, including healthcare (AI-assisted disease prediction and screening), agriculture (smart irrigation and crop diagnostics), education (multilingual AI tools for personalised learning), disaster management (predictive response systems), and governance (intelligent citizen engagement platforms).Emphasising ethical AI deployment, the policy establishes robust data governance frameworks to prevent misuse and bias. It aligns with national and international standards for secure AI implementation.“This policy positions Odisha as a potential hub for AI-led public innovation and startups,” a govt officer said, adding that it complements the objectives of the India AI Mission.State govt expects the policy to catalyse growth in the AI ecosystem, attracting investments and fostering industry-academia collaboration while promoting sustainable and inclusive technological development.