Guwahati: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gradually but surreptitiously finding its way into the farthest reaches of India, with North-east being one of the focus areas for digital upgrade. Smart farming and early warning flood management systems to tele-medicine access in hilly terrains, AI has the potential to fill gaps created by geography, infrastructure, and decades of exclusion.
In a big step towards this vision, a top-level seminar 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) and North-east India' was recently conducted, hosted by the Society for Harmonising Aspirations for Responsible Engagement (SHARE). The forum highlighted the region as a technological strategic frontier, connecting India further to South-east Asia.
The seminar was chaired by IFS (Retd.) Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former Foreign Secretary and Head of Global Affairs at SHARE. Bringing together senior government officials, leading academics, industry pioneers, and AI experts, the session served as a forum to explore AI’s potential in the region’s development.
Shringla emphasized the geopolitical importance of the North-east, referring to it as India's "gateway to ASEAN countries." He emphasized that AI could prove to be a game-changer in governance, bridging system gaps and unlocking developmental potential.
Highlighting a case of the G20 Summit organized in India, he referred to a language-translating app designed for the delegates. "After the summit concluded, the Prime Minister had a celebration. A woman constable shared the experience of how the delegate she was taking care of used the app to converse successfully and remove ambiguity. The anecdote showcases how technology—namely AI—can augment human interaction so effortlessly," he commented.
IFS Angshuman Dey, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and Chairman of the Steering Committee for AI in the North-east placed the discussion within the context of Industry 4.0.
"The Fourth Industrial Revolution is no longer on the horizon—it is here and it's moving rapidly. It will redefine the North-east's economic and technological future," Dey added. He also revealed that MDoNER was developing a roadmap to bring AI into the important sectors of agriculture, tourism, disaster management, and skill development.
From the industry point of view, Vishal Dhupar, NVIDIA India's Managing Director for Asia South, pointed to the region's distinct strengths. "The North-east can embrace AI in ecologically and culturally responsive manners. Building an 'AI Factory' in the region to produce AI tokens and stimulate local innovation would be a visionary move forward," he urged.
IAS Amit Sharma, Department of ICT, Government of Mizoram, Secretary, informed that Mizoram had already set the stage for service delivery through AI-based governance reforms.
The seminar, moderated by SHARE's General Secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, witnessed active participation from ministry officials, academia, start-ups, senior journalists, and cybersecurity professionals.
As India looks towards an AI-dominated future, the North-east which has hitherto been seen as peripheral could well be in the vanguard.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
