A two day capacity building program, focusing on “Emerging Technologies” successfully concluded here today.

The conference was held under the guidance of Minister for Science and Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports, ARI and Trainings, Satish Sharma.

The Minister, while speaking on the occasion, emphasised the importance of embracing emerging technologies to drive forward the region's development and enhance the quality of public service delivery. He highlighted the critical role of technology in modern governance, stating, “As we progress into advanced digital era, it is essential that our officers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to harness the power of emerging technologies for the benefit of our citizens.”

He reiterated the commitment of Jammu and Kashmir government towards technological empowerment and capacity building. “This training is just one of many steps we are taking to ensure that our workforce is prepared for the digital transformation that is unfolding across the globe,” he added.

Commissioner Secretary, IT Department, Saurabh Bhagat, asserted that IT Department will further step up efforts to conduct more such training programs in future to herald a new era of digital advancement in J&K. He appreciated the contribution of Deputy Secretary, IT Department, who was the nodal officer of this program.

The event was organized as a collaborative effort between the Information Technology Department of Jammu and Kashmir and the Wadhwani Group (a not-for-profit tech organisation operating at the convergence of technology and governance).  It was first of its kind capacity building initiative of IT department that aimed to equip senior government officers with knowledge and insights into the latest advancements in technology, strengthening their capacity to effectively utilize these innovations in governance and administration.

The event saw the participation of over 65 senior JKAS officers from various government departments who underwent a comprehensive training program on the implications, applications and future trends of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain, and IoT, among others.

The conference featured keynote addresses, interactive workshops and hands-on sessions, led by Prakash Kumar, CEO Wadhwani Group.

This initiative is expected to foster a more technology-driven, efficient and future ready administration in Jammu and Kashmir, aligning with the government's vision to embrace digital solutions for prosperous and inclusive future.