Odisha's nine ITIs will receive AI labs: Mohan Charan Majhi, CM

Odisha to Set Up AI Labs in Nine ITIs; 47 Institutes to Be Developed as Centres of Excellence

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced that artificial intelligence (AI) laboratories are being set up in nine Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state as part of efforts to strengthen skill development and workforce readiness.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Odisha Skill Competition 2025–26, Majhi said the state government plans to develop 47 ITIs as centres of excellence, aligning training infrastructure with the needs of emerging industries.

Highlighting the onset of large-scale industrialisation in Odisha, the chief minister urged students to upskill themselves and take advantage of employment opportunities within the state. “Our goal is to achieve excellence at all levels,” he said.

Majhi conferred gold medals on 54 students, silver medals on 53 students and bronze medals on 50 students for their performance in the competition. Gold medalists received a cash prize of ₹25,000, silver medalists ₹20,000, and bronze medalists ₹15,000.

“Skills are essential for the long-term development and economic progress of the state. A skilled person is more confident,” the chief minister said. He added that Odisha requires a strong pool of skilled youth to realise its vision of a prosperous Odisha by 2036 and a developed India by 2047.

Majhi said the three pillars of Odisha’s industrialisation strategy are robust infrastructure, a conducive business environment and a skilled workforce. He noted that over the past 18 months, projects worth ₹6.15 lakh crore have been approved, with the potential to generate 2.64 lakh jobs.