As artificial intelligence becomes a core component of public administration in India, the focus has decisively shifted from adoption to responsible implementation. To address this critical need, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has unveiled a major national initiative designed to equip government officials with the essential skills to manage AI systems.
Bridging the AI Governance Gap
The programme, formally announced on Thursday at the 'Conclave on Strengthening Human Capital for the AI Era' on the IIT Madras campus, is a direct response to a growing capability gap. This gap has emerged as the rapid evolution of AI tools outpaces the government's institutional understanding of their associated risks, limitations, and governance needs.
Led by IIT Madras's Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, the initiative is a collaborative effort with Google and the Digital Futures Lab, an independent interdisciplinary research studio. It is strategically aimed at the officials who will be responsible for procuring, deploying, and overseeing AI applications in sectors like education, public service delivery, and digital governance.
Curriculum Focused on Practical Application
The training moves beyond theoretical discussions to provide practical, actionable knowledge. The curriculum is structured to build technical literacy, procurement expertise, and policy awareness among public servants.
Participants will gain foundational knowledge of AI technologies and their real-world uses. A core component involves learning how to evaluate AI solutions during procurement, assess their scalability, and integrate responsible AI practices that align with India's emerging policy frameworks. The coursework heavily emphasizes identifying potential risks, understanding system limitations, and anticipating governance challenges in live deployments.
Beyond classroom instruction, the programme will utilise case studies, workshops, and hands-on sessions. Officials will be guided to assess their own departments' AI readiness and chart practical pathways for adopting or improving AI-enabled tools within their specific domains.
Stakeholders Emphasize Trust and Global Leadership
Speaking at the Conclave, Prof. B. Ravindran, Head of the Wadhwani School, highlighted the imperative of trust and inclusion. He stated the goal is to co-create policy frameworks that reflect the realities of the Global South through open dialogue.
Preeti Lobana, Country Manager of Google India, connected technological progress with institutional responsibility, stating that a thriving digital India must be built on a foundation of trust. She emphasized that the partnership is about empowering professionals to deploy AI responsibly, ensuring safety and fairness are at the core of the nation's digital transformation.
Dr. Urvashi Aneja, Founder of Digital Futures Lab, framed the initiative as a strategic investment in state capacity. She noted that strengthening government capability is the most important lever for effective and responsible AI use in India, and expressed hope to expand this programme to other Global South nations, laying a foundation for India's leadership in this arena.
The Conclave serves as a pre-summit event to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, bringing together diverse stakeholders. Its overarching aim is to align AI literacy with national digital priorities, ensuring AI reshapes governance in a transparent, human-centred, and trustworthy manner.
