IIM Sambalpur, in partnership with IIM Ahmedabad, has started the AI4Odisha program, a significant push towards technology-driven entrepreneurship, with the goal of encouraging AI-led growth among MSMEs, traders, and local entrepreneurs throughout the state.
More than 350 industry representatives, startup founders, business owners, and academicians attended the workshop "AI for Business Growth: From Local Markets to National Reach," which served as the initiative's official launch. The program was virtually launched by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

It is anticipated that the AI4Odisha initiative will assist small and medium-sized enterprises in implementing cutting-edge digital technologies and AI-based solutions to enhance supply chain management, customer interaction, marketing, and productivity. According to experts, the program may be crucial in enabling Odisha's MSME sector to compete in both domestic and international markets.
Artificial intelligence is also thought to help local business owners better understand customer behaviour, automate repetitive tasks, cut expenses, and make better decisions.
AI-driven business models are anticipated to have a major positive impact on MSMEs involved in handicrafts, textiles, food processing, retail, and conventional sectors.In order to assist companies in implementing digital transformation plans, workshops, mentorship sessions, and industry interactions may be held in the upcoming months.
The effort is viewed as a significant step in bolstering innovation, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable economic growth in the MSME sector, given Odisha's emergence as a burgeoning startup and industrial hotspot.