Tag: Goa AI Mission 2027

TechPulse

Goa’s AI Mission 2027 Turns Heads at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa’s growing ambition to position itself as a hub for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies took centre stage at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Over six days of high-level engagement, the Goa pavilion stood out as a dynamic showcase of innovation, attracting over 200 visitors, including global technology stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders.

At the heart of the showcase was the state’s forward-looking Goa AI Mission 2027, an initiative aimed at fostering responsible AI adoption, supporting startups, and building strong collaborations between industry and academia. The pavilion, set up by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, reflected a clear vision—one that positions Goa not just as a tourism destination, but as an emerging technology and innovation hub.

The Goa delegation was led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and IT Minister Rohan Khaunte, along with senior officials who engaged directly with stakeholders throughout the summit. Their presence underscored the government’s commitment to driving digital transformation and strengthening the state’s tech ecosystem.

What made the pavilion particularly vibrant was the participation of Goan startups, which brought innovation to life through real-world applications. These startups showcased solutions across sectors, actively engaging with visitors and forging meaningful connections. From AI-driven enterprise tools to advanced imaging technologies, the interactions highlighted the depth of talent and creativity emerging from Goa.

The international interest was equally significant, with delegates from countries including France, Sweden, Japan, Canada, the United States, Ghana, and Cuba exploring potential collaborations. Representatives from national organisations and other Indian states also visited the pavilion, keen to understand Goa’s approach to AI and its rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Among the notable visitors was Defence Research & Development Organisation Director General Lal Chand Mangal, who expressed strong interest in indigenous innovations such as hyperspectral imaging technology developed by Phosic India Pvt. Ltd. He highlighted its potential applications in homeland security and defence, opening doors for further collaboration and real-world deployment.

Visitors at the pavilion also experienced Goa’s digital initiatives firsthand. One such highlight was the AI chatbot integrated into the GoaOnline portal, designed to simplify access to government services and provide instant responses to user queries. For attendees like Manisha Desai, the experience was both engaging and reassuring, offering a glimpse into how technology can enhance everyday governance.

For participating startups, the summit proved to be more than just an exhibition—it was a gateway to opportunity. Entrepreneurs shared how the platform enabled them to connect with global industry leaders, media companies, and policymakers. These interactions not only expanded their visibility but also opened avenues for international collaboration, particularly in markets like the United States and Canada.

As the summit concluded, the impact of Goa’s participation was evident. The state returned with valuable connections, potential partnerships, and a strengthened position in India’s AI landscape. The momentum generated at the event signals a promising future, where Goa continues to evolve into a centre for innovation, technology, and forward-thinking solutions, driven by a vision that extends well beyond its shores.

Goan Personalities

IT Minister Rohan Khaunte Inaugurates Goa Pavilion at AI Impact Expo in New Delhi

Tanisha Cardozo

Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism, Printing & Stationery, Government of Goa, inaugurated the Goa Pavilion at the AI Impact Expo held at Bharat Mandapam on February 18, 2026, ahead of the India AI Impact Summit scheduled for February 19-20.

The AI Impact Expo serves as an experiential platform bringing together international, state, enterprise and startup pavilions to showcase cutting-edge innovations and transformative AI solutions. The Goa Pavilion highlights the state’s expanding footprint in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, while also featuring five promising startups — DivvyUp and Grow, Frover Labs Pvt. Ltd., Neural Kissan, Kverty and Phosic India Pvt. Ltd.

The inauguration took place in the presence of Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS, Secretary, ITE&C, and Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C, along with other senior officials.

Addressing the gathering, Rohan Khaunte emphasised Goa’s strategic roadmap under the Goa AI Mission 2027, which focuses on AI skilling, citizen-centric service delivery and the establishment of a dedicated AI Skilling Centre and Centre of Excellence to promote research and capacity building. He also underlined the importance of strengthening industry-academia partnerships and nurturing the startup ecosystem to position Goa as a destination where innovation thrives alongside quality of life.

During his visit, the Minister interacted with startup founders at the pavilion and held discussions with representatives from National Association of Software and Service Companies, central government bodies and industry leaders to explore collaboration avenues and attract investment opportunities for the state.

Goa’s participation at the international-level summit reflects its commitment to accelerating digital transformation and reinforcing its emergence as a preferred hub for technology innovation and AI-driven enterprises, while also strengthening its appeal as a global Digital Nomad destination.

TechPulse

Goa Strengthens AI Commitment at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa is reinforcing its commitment to emerging technologies and future-ready governance with a strong and strategic presence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20, 2026. The summit marks the first major global AI gathering hosted in the Global South and seeks to shape an inclusive, responsible and resilient Artificial Intelligence ecosystem aligned with the vision of People, Planet and Progress.

The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, is representing the state at the summit, underscoring its strategic ambition to position Goa as an emerging AI-driven innovation hub within India and on the international stage. The event has drawn participation from political leaders, industry heads, startups and global stakeholders, placing Goa’s initiatives in a broader global conversation on ethical and scalable AI.

During the inaugural knowledge-sharing workshop on AI adoption, Shri Heramb Kanekar from the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, DITE&C, outlined Goa’s AI roadmap and reaffirmed the state’s focus on building citizen-centric and responsible AI solutions. Under the Goa AI Mission 2027, the government has introduced initiatives such as the AI for Governance & Social Impact workshop, AI Hackathons and the launch of an AI Chatbot on the Goa Online Portal. These measures reflect a policy direction that views AI not merely as a technological upgrade, but as a transformative tool to improve public service delivery, enhance transparency, empower startups and drive sustainable economic growth.

A major highlight of the summit is the AI Impact Expo at Bharat Mandapam, an expansive experiential showcase spanning over 70,000 square metres across 10 arenas and featuring more than 840 exhibitors. The expo was inaugurated by Narendra Modi on the opening day, drawing significant national and international attention.

Supported by DITE&C, five Goa-based startups are exhibiting at the expo, demonstrating AI applications across diverse sectors. These include DivvyUp and Grow by Shri Gaurish Datta Pangam and Shri Shivam Kamat; Frover Labs Pvt. Ltd. by Shri Siddharth Manjrekar and Shri Sarvesh Patkar; Neural Kissan by Shri Sai Vitthal Rane; Kverty by Shri Mexson Fernandes; and Phosic India Pvt. Ltd. by Shri Dewansh Choudhary. Their participation highlights the depth and diversity of Goa’s growing innovation ecosystem and the state’s commitment to nurturing AI-led entrepreneurship.

While the expo remains open throughout the summit, the final two days will feature Leaders’ Plenary Sessions, roundtables and panel discussions focusing on how AI can serve humanity, foster inclusive growth and support sustainable development. Through forward-looking policy, strategic collaborations and sustained investment in its startup ecosystem, Goa is positioning itself as a responsible and future-ready AI destination.

Delegates, industry leaders, investors and visitors are invited to explore the Goa Pavilion at Stall No. 4F.21 in Hall No. 4 to experience firsthand how Goan innovators are leveraging Artificial Intelligence to create meaningful, inclusive and sustainable impact.

TechPulse

DITE&C Announces Statewide AI Hackathon to Strengthen Public Service Delivery

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) has announced the launch of a statewide AI Hackathon as part of the Goa AI Mission 2027, marking a significant step towards integrating Artificial Intelligence into governance and public service delivery across the state.


The AI Hackathon aims to encourage the adoption of ethical and responsible Artificial Intelligence solutions to address real-world governance challenges. The initiative focuses on improving efficiency, transparency and citizen-centric service delivery by leveraging emerging technologies within government systems.

Under the programme, government departments, corporations, autonomous bodies and local authorities have been invited to submit problem statements based on their day-to-day operational challenges. These problem statements will identify areas where AI-based interventions can support automated verification processes, early identification of missing or incorrect information, and timely delivery of benefits to eligible citizens.

Following a detailed scrutiny and evaluation of the submitted problem statements, DITE&C will facilitate the development of AI-powered solutions tailored to the specific needs of departments. Selected solutions will be designed to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen service delivery mechanisms.

The Goa AI Hackathon builds on the success of the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025, which invited startups and student innovators to address high-impact governance challenges. The initiative received strong participation from across the country, reflecting growing interest in technology-driven public sector innovation.

Through initiatives such as the AI Hackathon, DITE&C continues to advance the vision of a digitally empowered Goa by fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration and integrating emerging technologies to improve public service delivery and governance outcomes.

TechPulse

Goa AI Mission 2027 Gains Strategic Support from Sarvam AI

Tanisha Cardozo

The Government of Goa’s ambition to lead in ethical, responsible, and innovation-led AI adoption has received a major boost as Sarvam AI, India’s first sovereign AI startup, extended its support for the Goa AI Mission 2027. The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) hosted a virtual session with Sarvam AI, marking a significant step toward building an AI ecosystem rooted in cultural relevance, local language access, and inclusive design.

Sarvam AI, recently selected under the IndiaAI Mission, is building a full-stack generative AI platform tailored for India. During the session, Sarvam AI showcased key products including Sarvam Samvaad (a conversational AI), Sarvam Arya (an enterprise reasoning engine), and Vistaar (a serverless deployment platform)—all built to support Indian languages and contexts.

The discussion was led by DITE&C Director Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar and Joint Director Dr. Milind Sakhardande, along with SeMT leads Ms. Sharda Katare and Shri Amit Bandekar. Sarvam AI was represented by its Founder Mr. Shubham Arora, along with Guru Prabhaker, Director – Sales, and Prerna Bhandari, Public Sector Lead. The focus was on three pillars: policy collaboration, co-development of citizen-centric AI services, and the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence in Goa.

A key outcome of the session was the shared interest in building a Konkani Large Language Model (LLM). This language model would contribute significantly to the digital preservation of Goa’s linguistic and cultural heritage while enabling AI-powered services for local communities in their native tongue.

Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, stated, “As the government is working towards creating Centres of Excellence in AI, the goal is to make Goa a hub for applied research, experimentation and industry collaboration. Through the AI Mission 2027, we are laying the groundwork in policy, infrastructure, research, and skills to lead in ethical and responsible AI adoption.”

Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, added, “Collaborating with industry leaders like Sarvam AI strengthens Goa’s vision of building an AI ecosystem that is not only innovative and sovereign but also deeply rooted in our local languages and cultural context. A key part of this mission is the development of a Konkani Large Language Model, which will help digitally preserve and promote Goa’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. Their approach ensures that technology benefits every community across the state.”

Goa AI Mission 2027 is already mapping out skill development programs, research infrastructure, and AI governance frameworks. Partnerships like this signal a move from planning to implementation—ensuring that the benefits of AI are not just futuristic, but real, contextual, and accessible to every Goan.