IIM Sambalpur, in collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad, launches the AI4Odisha initiative and a practical AI workshop to empower MSMEs and local entrepreneurs with artificial intelligence.
AI4Odisha launches to support MSMEs
The Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur (IIM Sambalpur), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad), has launched the AI4Odisha Initiative to bridge the technology‑adoption gap for local businesses. As part of this initiative, both institutes jointly organised an AI awareness workshop titled “AI for Business Growth: From Local Markets to National Reach”, aimed at helping traders, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs use artificial intelligence for sustainable growth, operational excellence, and national competitiveness.
The workshop, held in a virtual format, was inaugurated by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, Government of India. Over 350 delegates from local industries in western Odisha attended the session, underscoring strong regional interest in integrating AI into small‑scale enterprises.
Focus on practical AI adoption
The AI workshop placed a strong emphasis on practical AI adoption rather than theoretical discussion. It aimed to equip MSMEs and entrepreneurs with readily usable AI tools and methods that can deliver day‑to‑day benefits in customer engagement, supply‑chain management, workflow optimisation, and decision‑making.
Organisers highlighted that the workshop would help participants leverage AI for identifying new customers, analysing consumer behaviour, recognising repeat customers, and streamlining supplier management. By focusing on real‑world business use cases, IIM Sambalpur and IIM Ahmedabad sought to make AI more accessible and relevant to small‑scale, resource‑constrained enterprises.
High‑level support and participation
The event was graced by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, who attended as the Chief Guest, along with Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, and Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIM Ahmedabad. The line‑up of speakers also included Shri Himanshu Lal, IPS, Inspector General, North Division, Sambalpur; Ms. Ankur Sohanpal, Founder, Learning at IIMA Ventures; Mr. Gopal Shah, Ideator of the AI4Odisha Ecosystem Partner; and representatives from major technology platforms, including Mr. Shankar RNS (ZOHO), Ms. Shruti Bijawat (Microsoft), Mr. Harshit Thaker (Co‑Founder & CEO, Berrywise), and Mr. Amish Thaker (Founder & CEO, Visity).
Industry leaders conducted hands‑on training sessions, demonstrating how AI tools can support marketing, customer‑relationship management, workflow automation, and data‑driven decision‑making in small businesses. The interactive format allowed participants to engage directly with AI platforms and ask contextual questions related to their own operations.
AI’s role in strengthening MSMEs
Inaugurating the workshop, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said the initiative reflected India’s vision of using AI to empower entrepreneurs across urban and rural regions. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, AI is improving productivity, expanding customer reach, and enabling sustainable growth for small businesses,” he said. The Minister also described initiatives like AI4Odisha as key drivers of an inclusive, technology‑driven Viksit Bharat, where local entrepreneurs can rapidly scale using digital tools.
Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, underlined the critical role of MSMEs in the Indian economy, noting that they contribute around 30% of India’s GDP and generate about 67% of employment. He also stated that as India aims to double its GDP in the next five years, AI will become a transformative enabler for small enterprises, allowing them to conduct smarter customer assessments, deepen customer engagement, and manage suppliers more efficiently.
IIM Ahmedabad’s practical AI approach
Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIM Ahmedabad, emphasised the workshop’s practical structure. “This AI workshop is designed to help MSMEs benefit from AI tools on a daily basis,” he said. Bhasker explained that AI can assist entrepreneurs in identifying new customers, analysing consumer behaviour, recognising repeat customers, and streamlining supplier and business operations, all of which improve operational efficiency and competitiveness.
Participants engaged in guided AI‑tool demonstrations, where they explored applications such as automated campaign planning, customer‑segmentation analytics, inventory‑optimisation models, and workflow‑automation dashboards. By working through live scenarios, attendees also gained confidence in using AI‑powered platforms to support their own business decisions.
Building inclusive, technology‑enabled ecosystems
The AI4Odisha initiative reflects a shared commitment by IIM Sambalpur and IIM Ahmedabad to build inclusive, technology‑enabled entrepreneurial ecosystems across Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities. The collaborators aim to ensure that emerging technologies such as AI reach smaller towns and industrial clusters, helping local businesses compete in the national digital economy.
Organisers also stated that the workshop seeks to catalyse long‑term engagement between MSMEs, academic institutions, and technology providers, creating a continuous learning and innovation environment. Through sustained follow‑up, training, and ecosystem support, IIM Sambalpur and IIM Ahmedabad hope to position AI4Odisha as a model for region‑specific, AI‑driven entrepreneurship development in India.
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