Goa govt brings AI to governance, plans to make services available in Konkani, Marathi

Panaji: Getting government services in Konkani and Marathi could get easier in Goa. State govt has teamed up with the Centre’s Digital India Bhashini division to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can translate and transcribe information in Konkani and Marathi.If successful, people will soon be able to access govt documents, information about welfare schemes, healthcare data, or online applications in their mother tongue.Under this new initiative, the Bhashini platform will be integrated into govt’s digital services. It will offer features like translation, grammar and spell checkers, and even tools to help govt officials write in local languages. Over time, citizens will also be encouraged to contribute words and phrases, a process called ‘Bhashadaan’, to make the AI language model smarter and more accurate.IT minister Rohan Khaunte, who signed the MoU, said that the focus is on making governance more inclusive. “The goal is not to build a Goa that is more digital; the goal is to build a Goa that is more human, more connected, and more prepared for the world ahead with AI as a powerful ally. It must not replace human jobs without creating new ones,” he said.The bigger goal is to build a strong AI ecosystem in Goa. The IT department plans to set up research hubs and encourage colleges, startups, and entrepreneurs to work on AI-based solutions for everyday problems, said Khaunte.

For rural Goa, the real change will be enabling people to engage with govt in the language people are most comfortable with. “We need to be committed to responsible AI. We must be mindful. AI must not widen the gap between those with access to technology and those without access,” said the minister.