India’s first Sovereign AI Hub in Odisha is set to create 5,000 skilled jobs with ₹20,000 crore Sarvam AI investment, boosting India’s AI ecosystem and Odisha’s digital economy transformation
OdishaPlus Bureau
The launch of India’s inaugural sovereign AI hub in Odisha is anticipated to create 5,000 highly skilled direct and indirect employment opportunities, signifying a notable transformation in the state’s economic framework, according to Odisha’s Additional Chief Secretary (Energy & IT), Vishal Kumar Dev during an interview with ANI. He further affirmed that the forthcoming facility will concentrate on specialized positions to enhance an AI-optimized infrastructure, thereby establishing the state as a key contender in the global technology arena.
“The facility is expected to generate 5,000 exceptionally skilled direct and indirect jobs for the establishment of an AI-optimized facility,” Dev remarked, underscoring the human implications of the initiative. He pointed out that the project aims to strengthen the AI ecosystem not only within the state but throughout the entire nation.
This initiative follows a strategic proposal from Sarvam AI, a prominent Indian startup, which intends to invest around Rs 20,000 crore (USD 2.3 billion) to develop the hub. This facility will act as a foundational element for the state’s digital evolution, shifting Odisha from its conventional focus on mining and metals towards a technology-oriented future.
In discussing the state’s preparedness for such a substantial investment, Dev emphasized Odisha’s leading role in policy development. “We were the first state in the country to introduce an AI policy, which is highly advantageous for incoming investors. We aspire for the policy to foster the growth of the AI ecosystem within the state,” he stated. The investment will qualify for considerable incentives under the state’s Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) as well as its dedicated IT and AI frameworks.