Patna: Bihar’s push to integrate artificial intelligence into governance and industry gathered pace on Thursday, as Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit chaired a four-hour “Udyog Varta (industry dialogue)” with leading entrepreneurs and technology firms in Patna.
The meeting, held at the Directorate of Civil Aviation near Patna airport, brought together 13 senior industry representatives to discuss the expansion of AI, digital public services and faster resolution of industrial bottlenecks. Officials said the dialogue was aimed at aligning private-sector innovation with the state’s development priorities.
Addressing participants, the Chief Secretary said Bihar could not afford to remain on the margins of rapid technological change. “The world is changing fast, and Bihar must build a robust AI ecosystem,” he said. “Our priority is to ensure that knowledge of AI reaches people at every level and is meaningfully used in government functioning.”
One of the key proposals came from Google India, whose representative Rajesh Ranjan outlined a plan to train Bihar’s youth in artificial intelligence. The proposal envisages a pilot programme to train around 10,000 students in AI over the next six months, with a possible expansion to colleges. The chief secretary responded positively, signalling official support for the initiative.
Entrepreneurs Ajay Singh and Anand Kumar offered to collaborate with the government on applying AI solutions in education, women and child welfare, and improving quality of life for citizens. Amrit directed Abhay Kumar Singh, secretary of the information technology department, to examine the proposal and take it forward.
The meeting also heard presentations on AI-enabled public infrastructure. Prithvi Maddirala, founder of a technology firm, showcased a model of “smart shelters” and “smart poles” fitted with AI cameras, inspired by similar systems used in Sabarimala, Kerala. Amrit suggested the idea could be tested as a pilot project in select industrial areas of Bihar.
Another proposal focused on digital access to government services. Shriya Damini, a chief executive, presented a plan to deliver 24/7 government services and information through WhatsApp. The chief secretary asked the Bihar Public Service Management (BPSM) to take prompt action on the suggestion.
Alongside policy discussions, Amrit addressed specific industrial concerns. He ordered an immediate decision on an application related to the revival of the Sasa Musa sugar mill, assured that a request to release startup funding in a single instalment would be considered, and said proposals to create a supportive ecosystem for semiconductor manufacturing deserved serious examination.
Senior officials from multiple departments were present alongside industry leaders, underscoring the state government’s emphasis on coordination. Officials said the dialogue reflected Bihar’s broader effort to position itself as an emerging hub for digital governance and technology-led growth.
