Artificial intelligence is set to redefine India’s rural administration, according to top officials from the Panchayati Raj Ministry. Additional Secretary Sushil Kumar Lohani announced that AI tools are being rolled out to make panchayat functions faster and more citizen-friendly.
A prime example is the ‘Sabhasar’ app, which automates the transcription of village assembly minutes. Lohani noted that this innovation slashes processing time from several hours to just minutes, revolutionizing documentation workflows.
Future expansions include AI-powered chatbots for seamless information sharing on government programs. ‘We’re continuously enhancing AI capabilities to reach every corner of rural India,’ Lohani affirmed.
These revelations occurred at a major AI summit boasting high-profile business participation. Access Partnership’s Abhinit Kaul hailed it as the Global South’s inaugural such event, with a sharp focus on deployment-ready AI solutions.
Professor PB Venkatarman from BITS Pilani WILP detailed their exhibit on three pillars: AI for education, education for AI, and AI in industries. ‘This summit promises high-impact outcomes,’ he remarked.
Emphasizing safeguards, Brian Cute from the Global Cyber Alliance warned of risks while praising potential rewards. ‘Ethical, responsible AI benefits the entire world,’ he concluded.
With these strides, the ministry is paving the way for tech-driven panchayats, ensuring schemes like MGNREGA and Swachh Bharat reach intended beneficiaries without bureaucratic hurdles.