Jammu, August 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday launched the J&K Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu and dedicated Project Phoenix, an AI-enabled digital commerce platform, at the institute.
The two initiatives are aimed at promoting the use of emerging technologies in governance, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and expanding market opportunities for local enterprises.
The AI Centre of Excellence has been established at IIT Jammu with support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and the Information Technology Department of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.
The centre will undertake AI research, solution development, benchmarking and technology evaluation, besides supporting the deployment of AI-based solutions. It will work with government departments, academia, startups and industry partners on applications in areas including governance, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and disaster management.
Speaking at the event, Omar Abdullah said AI should be applied to improve public services and produce measurable benefits for citizens.
He highlighted potential applications in agriculture, healthcare, education and disaster management, including AI-enabled early warning systems for localised weather and other risks.
Referring to recent cloudbursts in Rajouri and Poonch, the Chief Minister said such systems could help identify localised risks and provide timely alerts. He also pointed to the potential use of AI in agriculture and horticulture for providing farmers with information on crop diseases, treatment and the scientific use of agrochemicals.
Project Phoenix is designed as a digital commerce platform connecting artisans, self-help groups, cooperatives, startups, brands and MSMEs from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh with national and international markets.
The platform is intended to simplify onboarding, improve product discovery and provide wider market access to local producers and enterprises.
Omar Abdullah said Project Phoenix would complement the government’s Mission YUVA initiative by strengthening market access, mentorship and incubation support for startups and local enterprises.
He also called for closer collaboration between the Government and IIT Jammu to develop an innovation ecosystem capable of supporting employment generation and attracting investment.
Earlier, IIT Jammu Director Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur said the institute was focused on translating research into solutions with societal impact and strengthening collaboration with the Government, industry and startups.
The event was attended by Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary, Information Technology Department, Saurabh Bhagat, senior officers, faculty members, students, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.
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