Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday launched a range of new artificial intelligence initiatives at the Regional AI Impact Conference in Shillong, aimed at improving digital governance, promoting local language access, and fostering innovation among the youth.

The Chief Minister introduced the Bhashini Hackathon, which will allow citizens to access governance, education, healthcare, and other essential services through voice and text interfaces in Khasi and Garo languages. The initiative focuses on promoting linguistic inclusivity across key public services.

Sangma also launched the Meghalaya Digital Ecosystem Enablement (MeghDEE) programme to engage the youth in developing digital solutions for challenges faced by government departments and institutions.

Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged at the event, including one for the DRISHTI-NE Hackathon in collaboration with IIM-Shillong and MATH, aimed at encouraging youth from the Northeast to address hyper-local challenges using AI.

Additional MoUs were signed for setting up a Data and AI Lab under the India AI Mission and establishing a Satellite Incubation Center in partnership with MATH T-Hub.