Jammu, J&K: The Institute Incubation and Innovation Council (I3C), IIT Jammu, organised the launch of the J&K Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) and the dedication of Project Phoenix, a digital commerce platform aimed at strengthening innovation, entrepreneurship and digital market access across Jammu & Kashmir.
The initiatives were launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Omar Abdullah, at IIT Jammu, marking a significant milestone in the Union Territory’s journey towards AI-led governance, technological innovation and inclusive digital transformation.
Established at IIT Jammu with the support of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and the Information Technology Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the J&K AI CoE will serve as a hub for AI research, evaluation, technology customisation and deployment. The Centre will focus on developing and enabling AI-driven solutions to address real-world challenges across key sectors and contribute to citizen-centric governance.
The event also marked the dedication of Project Phoenix, a digital commerce platform designed to connect artisans, self-help groups, cooperatives, startups, brands and MSMEs from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh with wider national and global markets. The platform seeks to strengthen digital market access, support local enterprises and create new opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic growth.
The launch event brought together senior government officials, academic leadership, innovators, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders. The event was attended by Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu; Shri Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of J&K; and Shri Saurabh Bhagat, Administrative Secretary, Information Technology Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, along with other dignitaries and stakeholders.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister highlighted the role of emerging technologies in enabling citizen-centric governance and expanding opportunities for local enterprises. Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu, reaffirmed IIT Jammu’s commitment to advancing research, innovation and emerging technologies and translating them into solutions with tangible societal impact.
Through initiatives such as the J&K AI CoE and Project Phoenix, IIT Jammu continues to strengthen its role as a platform for research, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-led development in the region. The initiatives bring together government, academia, industry and the startup ecosystem towards building a knowledge-driven, innovation-led and inclusive technology ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir.
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