Abhijit Chaliha, Guwahati: In a first-of-its-kind move for the state, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday unveiled "Ankita," an artificial intelligence-powered news anchor, aimed at reshaping how the government communicates with its citizens.
Announcing the launch via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sarma wrote: “Meet Ankita, our AI anchor who brings you the latest updates on the recent Assam Cabinet meeting. From approving the change of Dibrugarh Airport's name after Bhupen Hazarika to a one-time grant for tea garden workers, we made a host of decisions for the public. Drop in your views!”
The announcement was accompanied by a video showcasing Ankita delivering cabinet updates in fluent Assamese, complete with realistic facial expressions and natural-sounding voice modulation. The AI anchor covered key cabinet decisions, including the renaming of Dibrugarh Airport in honour of legendary cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika and financial grants for tea garden workers.
The initiative is seen as a step forward in Sarma’s push to integrate emerging technologies into public administration. Known for his advocacy of AI and tech education, the Chief Minister has frequently encouraged students to engage with fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning.
“Ankita” follows on the heels of previous tech-driven efforts in the state, including the introduction of “Iris,” Assam’s first AI-powered teacher at Royal Global School in Guwahati. Nationally, the move is in step with innovations such as Doordarshan Kisan’s AI anchors “Krish” and “Bhoomi,” launched earlier this month to deliver round-the-clock agricultural news.
Officials say this digital transformation aims to improve accessibility and engagement, especially among younger, digitally native audiences, offering a glimpse into the future of governance and communication in India.
0 Comments