Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday launched the Jammu and Kashmir Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu, and dedicated Project Phoenix, an AI-enabled digital commerce platform, in a twin initiative aimed at promoting technology-driven governance and expanding economic opportunities across the Union Territory.
Addressing faculty, students, entrepreneurs, artisans and officials at the event, the Chief Minister said artificial intelligence should be harnessed to improve governance and deliver tangible benefits to citizens, adding that the technology must ultimately translate into better outcomes for people rather than remain confined to research and pilot projects. He said the Centre of Excellence would help build more efficient, responsive and citizen-centric governance systems, while Project Phoenix would create new opportunities for artisans, self-help groups, startups and micro, small and medium enterprises to access wider markets.
Highlighting the practical applications of the technology, the Chief Minister said artificial intelligence should be deployed across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and disaster management to bridge the urban-rural divide and improve the delivery of public services in remote and underserved areas. He said Project Phoenix would complement the Government’s flagship Mission YUVA initiative by strengthening market access, mentorship and incubation support for startups and local enterprises across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister called for closer collaboration between the Government and IIT Jammu to build a vibrant innovation ecosystem capable of generating employment and attracting investment into the Union Territory. He said the two initiatives reflected a shared commitment to positioning Jammu and Kashmir at the forefront of technology-led development in the years ahead.
The Jammu and Kashmir Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence has been established at IIT Jammu with the support of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, and the Information Technology Department of the Jammu and Kashmir Government. It will serve as a hub for AI research, solution development, benchmarking, technology evaluation and deployment support for both government and industry stakeholders across the region.
