Rohan Khaunte, the Minister for Tourism and Information Technology in Goa, has called for stronger collaboration between the tech industry, state government, and educational institutions to develop and enhance the employability of local youth. Speaking at the Tech Media Startup Expo 2024, Khaunte emphasised that Goa is no longer solely a hotspot for tourism and leisure but is rapidly evolving into a centre for innovation, creativity, and new ideas.
He highlighted the state government’s efforts to implement policies and initiatives aimed at creating “a robust ecosystem where innovation and creativity flourish,” which will benefit both the local community and the tech industry. According to Khaunte, a key part of this transformation lies in equipping the youth with the skills necessary for future careers. “The tech industry needs to help with skilling, upskilling, and re-skilling the local talent. The priority for employment must be locals,” he stressed.
The minister’s remarks came during the opening of the event, which was organised by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell of the Department of IT, Electronics and Communications. The expo brought together industry experts, who discussed the profound impact that emerging technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) are set to have on various sectors.
Experts at the event noted that these technologies possess significant disruptive potential, particularly in fields such as funding, rights management, content creation, and audience engagement within the media industry. Jervis Pereira, founder and CEO of the India Blockchain Alliance, outlined how AI is becoming crucial in areas like deepfake detection and automating video and content creation. “The role of AI is becoming indispensable in areas like deepfake detection and the automation of video and content creation from original creators. Blockchain complements this by providing the much-needed transparency and ownership to fight fraud and streamline operations,” he explained.
Pereira said blockchain can ensure transparency, ownership, and fraud prevention within the media industry. He said that several tech startups are already using AI and blockchain to enable creators to control their work, streamline processes, and engage with audiences.
The discussions highlighted the importance of these technologies in reshaping the media landscape, offering new opportunities for growth and innovation.
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