Odisha vigilance launches AI cell to combat corruption in public administration

Bhubaneswar:

Odisha vigilance has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen its fight against corruption in public administration. A specialised AI cell was opened on Tuesday at its headquarters in Cuttack, aimed at harnessing cutting-edge technology to improve efficiency, expertise, and effectiveness in anti-corruption investigations and prevention efforts.The newly-established cell will deploy secure AI applications to analyse financial data, flag irregularities, and detect potential corruption across govt departments. This initiative aligns with chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s recent call for leveraging AI to curb corruption and enhance administrative integrity.“We have constituted AI teams at divisional levels to support tasks such as financial analysis, profiling of suspects, assessment of fund leakages or misappropriation, tracking digital footprints, conducting digital forensics, and streamlining documentation,” said Odisha vigilance director Yeshwant Jethwa during a workshop held on the same day.

Jethwa emphasised that AI will play a pivotal role across the entire anti-corruption lifecycle — from prevention and detection to investigation and prosecution.

“AI enables us to identify vulnerabilities before corruption occurs. It can sift through vast datasets to spot red flags and assist investigators at every stage of a probe,” he said.Highlighting the evolving nature of corruption, Jethwa urged officers to stay technologically ahead of those who exploit systemic complexities.

“Corruption is not just a financial crime; it reflects a governance deficit that erodes public trust, weakens institutions, and denies citizens equitable access to opportunities. AI offers a strategic edge — provided it is used wisely, ethically, and effectively,” Jethwa said.

He encouraged officials to view AI not as a standalone tool but as a collaborative partner in their mission to uphold integrity in governance.To build technical capacity, Odisha vigilance has partnered with experts from the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC), IIT Bhubaneswar, and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to train investigators in AI-driven methodologies.The state govt has made AI-driven digital transformation a focus area of its administrative reforms. In April, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja directed officials to complete online AI training modules as part of a broader initiative to cultivate a digitally skilled and future-ready administrative workforce. The programme aims to equip govt personnel with the tools needed to navigate the growing role of AI in governance and service delivery.