Gandhinagar: In a significant push to modernize governance, the Gujarat government has launched a state-wide Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative, setting up a dedicated AI department and an AI Centre of Excellence at GIFT City. The move aims to streamline administrative processes, reduce delays, and improve service delivery across multiple government departments.
Officials said the initiative will deploy AI in critical areas such as grain quality assessment, emergency response, urban planning, and wildlife safety on railways, while also training senior bureaucrats and supporting AI startups to develop practical solutions for public services.
According to Divya Bhaskar, Ankit Suthar, Manager at Gujarat Informatics Limited (GIL), explained how AI is being implemented across departments and how it is transforming governance on the ground.
Gujarat Emerges as an Early Adopter of AI in Governance
Gujarat has taken a proactive approach by not only framing policies but also implementing AI solutions at scale across government departments. The core objective is to reduce delays, minimise manual work, improve transparency, and ensure efficient service delivery for citizens.
A year ago, AI usage in government was negligible. Today, the state has trained over 350 senior officers, engaged more than 1,000 startups, and developed 25 real-world AI use cases.
AI Centre of Excellence Set Up at GIFT City
The AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) established at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, serves as the backbone of Gujarat’s AI ecosystem. Currently, 19 startups are actively working at the centre to develop AI-based solutions for government departments.
The Centre provides:
- Advanced computing infrastructure
- Mentorship from global technology leaders
- Real-world problem statements from government departments
More than 350 senior officials, including IAS officers and secretaries, have already undergone AI training here, conducted by experts from Microsoft and Google.
₹30 Crore AI Plan with Global Partners
At the launch of the AI Centre of Excellence, the Gujarat government signed MoUs with NASSCOM and Microsoft. A budget of ₹30 crore over five years has been earmarked for:
- AI training programmes
- Innovation challenges
- Development of practical AI use cases
The initiative aims to build both technology capacity and human capability within government systems.
AI Checks Grain Quality in 30 Seconds, Benefits Farmers
One of the most impactful AI pilots is in the Agriculture and Food & Civil Supplies Department, under the guidance of Secretary Mona Khandhar.
At APMC markets in Kheda and Nadiad, an AI-based grain grading system:
- Checks grain quality and moisture
- Delivers results in just 30 seconds
- Ensures fair pricing and faster payments
Over 100 farmers are part of this pilot, which is likely to be expanded statewide if successful.
AI Helps Prevent Wildlife Accidents on Railway Tracks
In collaboration with the Forest Department, AI-powered cameras are being used to detect animals on railway tracks. When wildlife is detected, the system sends an instant alert to the loco pilot, enabling the train to slow down or stop, thereby preventing accidents.
AI to Filter Fake 112 Emergency Calls
The Home Department is developing an AI system to identify fake emergency calls made to the 112 helpline. The system analyses:
- Caller tone and urgency
- Keywords used
- Local Gujarati dialects such as Surti, Kutchi, and Mehsani
While AI will flag suspicious calls, human intervention will remain mandatory, acknowledging that AI is not yet 100% accurate.
AI Adoption Across Key Government Departments
So far, 25 problem statements have been identified across departments such as:
- Home
- Agriculture
- Urban Development
- Science & Technology
AI chatbots are already operational on several Science and Technology Department websites, improving information access for citizens.
AI to Check Building Plans and GDCR Compliance
In the Urban Development Department, AI is being tested to automatically verify building plans and GDCR compliance. This Proof of Concept aims to:
- Reduce manual scrutiny
- Speed up approvals
- Minimise human error
- Preventing Unauthorised Entry Using AI
AI systems are also being developed to restrict unauthorised vehicle entry into sensitive zones. Only approved vehicles and individuals will be allowed access. Pilot trials are currently underway.
How AI Solutions Are Designed and Deployed
The development process follows a structured approach:
- Nodal officers identify departmental problems
- Data needs and outcomes are defined
- Startups propose AI solutions
- Proofs of Concept are tested
Successful models are deployed live for citizen use
AI Experience Zone at GIFT City
An AI Experience Zone has been created at GIFT City where visitors can:
- See live AI applications
- Interact with startup innovations
- Understand government AI use cases
Currently, 19 startups are operating from this zone.
Training Senior Officials and Technical Teams
About seven AI workshops have been conducted for senior officers such as secretaries, joint secretaries, and deputy secretaries. Training is delivered by experts from Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and NASSCOM.
Additionally, technical teams from NIC and GIPL have received advanced training.
From Four Days to Minutes: Faster File Processing
In the Science and Technology Department, tasks that earlier took four days—such as downloading and verifying documents—are now completed in minutes using AI-powered first-level verification, followed by manual checks.
Focus on Citizen-Friendly Services
The government aims to simplify citizen services by:
- Reducing procedural steps
- Using AI to summarise lengthy documents
- Enabling faster decision-making for officials
Support for AI Startups and MSMEs
Through the AI Innovation Challenge Flagship Programme, the Centre of Excellence provides:
- Mentorship
- AI tools
- Training
So far, over 1,000 startups and MSMEs have been incubated or trained, with 10 startups working directly at the Centre.
Services in Local Languages and Dialects
AI systems are being designed to operate in Kutchi, Surti, and Mehsani, allowing citizens to ask questions and receive responses in their own local dialects, improving accessibility across regions.
AI as a Support System, Not a Replacement
According to Ankit Suthar, AI is meant to support government employees, not replace them. The technology enhances efficiency, reduces workload, and improves service delivery while keeping humans at the centre of decision-making.
