Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has launched AI Saksham, a training programme aimed at equipping government employees with artificial intelligence skills to improve administrative efficiency and public service delivery across the state.
The initiative was inaugurated on October 28 at the Dr MCR Human Resource Development Institute in Hyderabad. It is being organised by the Telangana Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub (TG MATH), with support from the state Planning Department.
Speaking at the launch, Vikramarka said AI should help government departments process routine work faster, address public grievances and reduce the need for citizens to make repeated visits to government offices.
He emphasised that improvements in administrative efficiency should translate into better services for farmers, pensioners and other citizens.
The programme focuses on helping government employees understand how AI tools can support everyday administrative responsibilities, including locating government orders, preparing reports, analysing information and communicating with the public.
Vikramarka, who also holds the Finance, Planning and Energy portfolios, identified public expenditure monitoring as a potential application of the technology.
He said AI could assist the Finance Department in examining whether government funds reach intended beneficiaries, identifying delays in expenditure and assessing gaps in project implementation.
In the Planning Department, AI-based analysis could help officials monitor regional differences in service delivery and evaluate the implementation of welfare schemes.
However, Vikramarka cautioned that data-driven assessments should not replace field inspections, public feedback or the practical experience of government employees.
The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted potential applications in the electricity sector, including demand forecasting, equipment fault detection and preventive maintenance.
He said such systems could support power supply management for farmers, small industries and hospitals, provided they undergo appropriate testing and meet operational safety requirements.
The programme also addresses the responsible use of AI-generated information in government communication, including content prepared in Telugu.
Officials have been advised to verify names, financial amounts, eligibility conditions and technical information before incorporating AI-generated material into official records or public communication.
Vikramarka stressed that government employees must not upload confidential official information or citizens' personal data to unauthorised AI platforms.
He also called for human oversight of AI-assisted decisions, clearly defined accountability and accessible mechanisms for citizens to challenge decisions affecting them.
Departments have been encouraged to begin with limited pilot projects and evaluate their accuracy, costs, performance and public benefits before considering wider implementation.
The launch of AI Saksham marks a step towards introducing AI skills into Telangana's administrative workforce, with the state placing emphasis on service delivery, information security and accountability as departments explore potential applications.
Disclaimer: This article may include information derived from interviews, press releases, public statements, research, company communications and other publicly available or third-party sources. Such material may be summarised, paraphrased or contextualised for journalistic and editorial purposes. All rights in third-party content remain with their respective owners.