Goa Industrial Development Corporation (Goa-IDC) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, successfully hosted the ‘Empowering SMEs through AI Innovation’ workshop as part of the AI for India 2030 Initiative. The event brought together industry leaders, academic institutions, civil society organisations and government representatives to discuss the strategic implications of Artificial intelligence (AI) and co-design blueprints for responsible AI governance.
The AI for India 2030 initiative aims to enhance AI-driven growth across industries, emphasising the integration of AI into the SME sector, which contributes over one-third of India’s GDP and serves as a key driver of employment and entrepreneurship.
A key highlight of the event was the introduction of the ‘AI Playbook for SMEs’, a framework designed to guide businesses in integrating AI solutions to enhance productivity, innovation and global competitiveness.
The event featured insights from esteemed industry experts, including Pravimal Abhishek, Managing Director, Goa-IDC, Purushottam Kaushik, Head, C4IR India, Ayushi Sarna, Specialist, AI and Data Policy, C4IR India, Harsh Sharma, Lead, AI and ML, C4IR India and Sambhav Kela, Fellow, Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
The workshop, attended by 30 SMEs from Goa, focussed on the following key objectives:
• Assessing the current state of digitization and AI readiness among SMEs
• Exploring high-value AI-driven solutions tailored to industry-specific needs
• Identifying the challenges faced by SMEs in adopting AI solutions
• Discussing the role of government in facilitating AI adoption and digital transformation
Speaking at the event, Pravimal Abhishek, MD of Goa-IDC, highlighted the Corporation’s efforts to leverage technology for streamlining and enhancing industrial services. He emphasised on the Ease of Doing Business platform, which now facilitates key processes such as plot allotment, transfer orders and subleasing entirely online. For instance, what once required nearly 25 manual steps to issue a plot advertisement can now be accomplished with just a few clicks.
Abhishek also introduced the newly launched Online Building Plan Approval System [OBPAS], designed to accelerate construction approvals across Goa. He emphasised that “Goa-IDC is now prioritising the integration of AI to enhance industrial productivity and competitiveness. AI has the potential to revolutionise the SME sector by fostering innovation and efficiency. Goa-IDC is now committed to creating an enabling environment where SMEs can leverage AI-driven solutions to scale their businesses and stay competitive in the global market.”
Purushottam Kaushik, Head of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) India, shared how his initial scepticism about global forums like the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland changed over time, as he realised that collaboration between government, business, research, and startups leads to innovative solutions. He praised leaders like Abhishek for their openness to partnerships, emphasising that real transformation happens when everyone is part of the discussion rather than just following top-down policies. Highlighting the AI for India 2030 initiative, he stressed its goal of bringing AI to the grassroots, ensuring even small businesses in remote areas can benefit, calling it both a challenge and a unique opportunity for meaningful impact”.
Ayushi Sarna, Specialist in AI and Data Policy at C4IR India, led an interactive session on AI’s practical applications in business. Participants engaged in live polls by scanning a QR code, sharing insights on their industry, challenges, and organisation size.
The Workshop attracted representatives from electronics, packaging, logistics, and manufacturing sectors, with leading companies like Smart Link, Kineco Group and SAIS Service Private Limited in attendance. Notably, nearly 30% of respondents were involved in exports, highlighting AI’s potential to streamline compliance and enhance supply chain efficiency.
The workshop reinforced the importance of collaboration between the government, industry leaders, and technology experts in shaping policies and initiatives that promote AI adoption. The discussions and insights gathered will play a pivotal role in guiding future policy decisions, ensuring SMEs across India benefit from AI integration while adhering to responsible and ethical AI practices. With a focus on action-oriented outcomes, the event marked a significant step in equipping SMEs with the tools and strategies needed to succeed in an AI-driven world.
