PNS|Vijayawada
The Andhra Pradesh government has taken a significant leap toward digital governance with the launch of an intensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme aimed at transforming public service delivery. On the second day of this groundbreaking initiative, 100 designated AI Champions and 200 AI Catalysts from various departments continued their hands-on training to drive AI-led innovation and reform in government operations.
The initiative, fully funded by the State government, is part of a four-day residential training programme being conducted in collaboration with the Wadhwani Centre for Government Digital Transformation (WGDT). The programme aims to equip officials with the knowledge and tools to lead AI-powered projects that improve efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric service delivery.
AI Champions are being trained to act as strategic leaders within their departments. Their role includes formulating department-specific AI strategies, identifying and leading AI projects, assessing emerging technologies, and enabling upskilling of team members.
AI Catalysts, on the other hand, are being groomed to support these digital transformation initiatives by managing projects, sharing domain expertise, facilitating communication, building internal capacity, and monitoring project outcomes.
The programme is being executed in three phases. In In-Person Training Phase the participants are gaining deep insights into AI’s role in government transformation, project implementation, and technology integration.
The curriculum covers AI strategy development, digital service enhancement, and real-world application of AI use cases tailored to departmental needs.
In the next phase — Ideation and Implementation Phase – which follows the training session, teams will work on developing Proof of Concept (PoC) projects inspired by departmental challenges. Under the guidance of WGDT experts and senior officials, these teams will receive technical support including infrastructure and developer resources from the Department of ITE&C.
In Final Project Presentation, each team will present their PoC to a government-appointed jury. The most impactful projects may be considered for full-scale implementation across departments.
The Andhra Pradesh government’s strategic collaboration with WGDT ensures that departments are not only trained but also mentored through the process of AI adoption. Notably, WGDT is offering its services including training, mentoring, and advisory support at no cost to the government.
Departments have been encouraged to nominate officials with prior experience in technology, e-Governance, or IT projects. All project proposals must follow the standardised format outlined in Annexure-1.
This ambitious initiative marks a decisive step toward digital transformation across all sectors of governance in Andhra Pradesh. By empowering officials with advanced AI capabilities, the government aims to reshape public service delivery and set a national benchmark for technology-led governance.
