The Bhubaneswar state government has decided to open a centre of excellence (CoE) on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to ensure students of these courses become industry-ready. As a part of this exercise, the higher education department has started the process for the establishment of the centre at Rama Devi Women’s University here at a cost of around Rs 8.7 crore. Students from state universities and colleges can get a chance to learn about and get training in modern technologies, including AI and robotics. Higher education department secretary Aravind Agrawal here on Monday said AI is the future technology and students should acquire the skill now. That is why the CoE has been planned to be set up at the women’s university. The government is taking all necessary steps to make it functional as soon as possible. IIT professor Subhransu Ranjan Samantaray said many organisations across the country are facing a skill gap in AI and robotics.