The Department of Information Technology, Union Territory of Ladakh, convened a meeting on November 13 to explore the potential and phased implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various government departments.

Chaired by Shashanka Ala, IAS, Secretary, Information Technology Department, the meeting aimed to identify practical AI-driven solutions, evaluate pilot use cases, and outline a roadmap for integrating AI into governance, public service delivery, and citizen engagement.

A detailed presentation by CoRover AI showcased the possibilities of AI in sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, and public administration. The presentation emphasized how AI innovations can help Ladakh address its unique geographical and infrastructural challenges while improving accessibility, efficiency, and sustainability.

During the discussion, the Secretary engaged extensively with the presenters, raising key questions about the applicability, efficiency, and scalability of AI tools in real-world government operations. She emphasized the need for AI solutions that simplify processes, reduce manpower dependency, and deliver tangible benefits to departments with heavy workloads. Citing examples such as NCERT’s problem-solving platforms, she stressed the importance of practical, user-friendly, and widely accessible AI solutions.

The Secretary advocated a gradual adoption of AI, beginning with small, department-specific use cases. She recommended testing AI models through concrete examples—such as land and revenue data platforms—ensuring strong authentication mechanisms and data accuracy before broader implementation. She also advised against duplicating chatbot services already active across departments and encouraged a focus on high-impact, time-saving tools such as automated systems for meeting documentation and data management.

Highlighting Ladakh’s scale and digital penetration, the Secretary emphasized that AI integration must align with user adaptability and regional needs. She recommended starting with one department to demonstrate measurable outcomes before expanding to others.

The meeting also explored AI’s role in governance through analytics-based systems and citizen-facing chatbots capable of providing instant access to services, supporting grievance redressal, and enhancing transparency. The importance of digital skilling and capacity-building was underscored to equip Ladakh’s youth for emerging opportunities, promote local innovation, and reduce outward migration by strengthening tech-based entrepreneurship.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Tashi Thinles, Director, Health Department; Ghulam Mohd, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Leh; Abdul Mutalib, Chief Engineer, PWD; Directors and Chiefs of various departments; and senior officials from the IT Department. Deputy Commissioner Kargil, the Director of Social and Tribal Affairs, and CoRover AI representatives, including Ankush Sabharwal, joined the meeting virtually.