MoSPI’s AI Literacy Workshop Explores Frontier Technologies for Public Sector Innovation

On 19th June 2025, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) hosted a pivotal AI Literacy Workshop in New Delhi, bringing together a dynamic assembly of stakeholders to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing India’s official statistical systems and decision-making processes across the public sector.

Stakeholders and Key Participants

The workshop convened a rich mix of participants, including:

• Voluntary Organisations: Wadhwani AI, known for developing scalable AI solutions for social good.

• Multilateral Agencies: The World Bank’s South Asia division.

• MoSPI Officials: Senior leadership and domain specialists from the Data Informatics and Innovation Division.

Their collective presence marked a unified commitment to embracing AI not as a disruptive force, but as an enabler of smarter governance.

Opening Remarks and Visionary Speeches

The event began with a welcome address by Shri Rohit Bhardwaj, Deputy Director General of the Data Informatics and Innovation Division at MoSPI. He highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing innovation-driven agenda and the need for cross-sectoral collaboration.

This was followed by context setting from Shri R. Rajesh, Additional Director General, who provided an overview of MoSPI’s AI initiatives and stressed the need to build institutional readiness and data ecosystems to support AI integration.

The keynote address was delivered by Shri P.R. Meshram, Director General (Data Governance). His remarks were particularly noteworthy—emphasizing that Artificial Intelligence is not meant to replace human systems, but rather to augment analytical capabilities, enhance scalability, and drive more precise, timely insights from complex datasets.

Wadhwani AI’s Presentation: From Use Cases to Deployment

A significant part of the workshop was the presentation by Wadhwani AI, where representatives demonstrated:

• The AI Readiness Matrix used to evaluate project feasibility.

• The process of identifying, building, and implementing AI use cases in the public sector.

• Real-world challenges in transitioning from pilot projects to production-scale deployments, especially in statistical systems.

• Suggested strategies for scaling, including human-centered design, policy frameworks, and capacity building.

Their experience underscored the complexity of AI integration in bureaucratic contexts but also the tangible benefits in areas such as public health, agriculture, and social welfare.

World Bank’s Global Perspective on AI

Shri Vivek Sharma, Senior AI Specialist from the World Bank (South Asia Region), delivered a compelling talk on the global evolution of AI use in development. He shared insights into:

• Key AI-enabled tools developed by the World Bank.

• The technological infrastructure underlying these tools.

• Case studies from developing countries where AI has improved service delivery and data monitoring.

• Potential alignments with India’s statistical and administrative landscape.

His presentation served as a bridge between global best practices and domestic applications.

Showcasing MoSPI’s In-House Innovation

As part of its innovation strategy, MoSPI has engaged with academic and research institutions to co-develop AI use cases relevant to India’s socio-economic context. One such project showcased at the workshop was a machine learning-based model for predicting Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE), aimed at improving poverty estimation and expenditure forecasting.

The demonstration highlighted:

• The use of non-traditional data sources to supplement household surveys.

• The importance of model validation and transparency.

• The role of domain experts in guiding feature selection and interpretation.

Interactive Open Discussion and Way Forward

The workshop culminated in a lively open discussion where participants exchanged ideas on:

• Institutional readiness for AI adoption.

• Ethical considerations and data privacy concerns.

• Skill development for statistical personnel.

• The need for interoperable data infrastructure.

Several participants advocated for a national framework for AI in official statistics, echoing MoSPI’s call for responsible and inclusive innovation.

Reaffirming MoSPI’s Vision

The event reinforced MoSPI’s strategic orientation toward leveraging AI for smart, responsive, and inclusive governance. The Workshop was more than an academic exercise—it represented a concrete step toward operationalizing AI in a manner that aligns with India’s democratic ethos and development priorities.

As India scales up its digital public infrastructure, events like this signify the growing maturity of its statistical system and the visionary leadership within MoSPI to embrace emerging technologies responsibly.