Shillong: Artificial intelligence will shape the future of governance and public services in Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Wednesday, asserting that the state is positioning itself to lead the Northeast in the AI and IT landscape.
Speaking at the Regional AI Impact Conference in Shillong, Sangma said AI is set to redefine decision-making, accelerate development and enhance citizen empowerment.
“AI is the future. It will reshape governance, accelerate development and empower citizens like never before,” he said.
He noted that Meghalaya has already demonstrated the impact of technology-driven governance, citing data-based interventions that helped the state cut its Maternal Mortality Rate by nearly half.
Digital tools have also enabled detailed mapping of rivers, springs, forests and watersheds, strengthening environmental and resource planning, he said.
Sangma said companies based in the Shillong IT Park are now using AI to build predictive models in agriculture and support global Fortune 500 companies, reflecting growing industry confidence in Meghalaya’s skilled workforce.
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He underlined that timely and informed governance has been made possible by the adoption of technology across departments and said hosting the Regional AI Impact Conference signals Meghalaya’s growing leadership in the sector.
The chief minister said the state is prioritising the creation of a strong tech ecosystem, backed by collaboration between government, industry, academia and domain experts.
He pointed to the recent establishment of Meghalaya’s first State Government Engineering College as an important step in this direction.
Urging investment in advanced skills such as AI, quantum computing and emerging frontier technologies, Sangma said Meghalaya’s young population and institutional support position it strongly to drive AI-led transformation in the region.
