Odisha Unveils Vision to Build Bhubaneswar as Global AI-FinTech Powerhouse
In a significant announcement on Wednesday, Odisha's additional chief secretary Vishal Kumar Dev revealed the state's ambitious plan to cultivate a skilled workforce in artificial intelligence and financial technology while transforming Bhubaneswar into a global capability centre. This strategic initiative marks a pivotal moment in Odisha's digital transformation journey.
Black Swan Summit India: A Convergence of Global Minds
Ahead of the upcoming Black Swan Summit India, scheduled for Thursday and Friday in partnership with Singapore-based Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Dev detailed that the two-day event will assemble an impressive gathering of over 1,700 delegates representing 24 countries. The summit will feature nearly 100 distinguished speakers from five continents, creating a truly global platform for knowledge exchange.
The summit will convene an unprecedented assembly of global and national policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, technology leaders, startups, investors and academic experts. According to Dev, this gathering will facilitate what he described as an execution-oriented dialogue focused on tangible outcomes rather than theoretical discussions.
Reframing Digital Policy for Measurable Outcomes
Dev emphasized that Odisha is fundamentally reframing its digital policy approach, moving beyond mere technology adoption to focus on measurable outcomes that directly impact economic development. The state's new strategy prioritizes concrete results including:
- Job creation and employment opportunities
- Advanced skill development programs
- Enterprise creation and entrepreneurship support
- Enhanced global competitiveness for local businesses
"Our focus is on operationalising AI and digital finance in ways that deliver real economic value and build long-term institutional capacity," Dev stated, highlighting the practical orientation of Odisha's new digital strategy.
BharatNetra: A Strategic Partnership with Singapore
The foundation for this ambitious initiative was laid during the January 2025 visit of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha, when the state government and GFTN entered into a joint initiative titled BharatNetra. This strategic partnership aims to establish an Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) specifically designed to drive innovation in FinTech and InsurTech sectors.
Bhubaneswar's Transformation into a Global Hub
Dev explained that the Black Swan Summit represents a decisive step in Odisha's comprehensive ambition to position Bhubaneswar as both a nationally and globally connected centre for AI-enabled digital finance and global capability services. The summit serves as a catalyst for this transformation, bringing together the necessary stakeholders to accelerate progress.
"Odisha is stepping forward to demonstrate how inclusive, tech-led governance, future-ready talent, global collaboration and trusted digital infrastructure can deliver prosperity at scale for India," Dev declared, outlining the state's broader vision for technology-driven development.
The initiative represents a significant shift in regional economic strategy, positioning Odisha at the forefront of India's digital finance revolution while creating new opportunities for skilled professionals and entrepreneurs in the AI-FinTech domain.
