Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing AI’s potential as a catalyst for a transformative future, positioning India as a global leader in the AI economy.

In his speech, Prof. Sood highlighted AI's tremendous potential to position India as a global leader in the AI economy. He praised the IndiaAI Mission, a MeitY initiative to advance India’s capabilities in AI-driven technologies and foster innovation that meets global standards. "AI is not just a tool but a transformative force that can drive economic growth and shape our journey towards a more advanced, resilient, and globally influential India," Prof. Sood stated.

He outlined AI’s role in two critical sectors—agriculture and healthcare. AI is set to revolutionize practices in agriculture by enhancing climate resilience, supporting financial inclusion, and enabling data-driven farming techniques. Meanwhile, AI has already demonstrated its potential to improve patient outcomes, streamline processes, and offer diagnostic support by analyzing medical data. “AI’s ability to process large volumes of patient information and provide insights makes it a game-changer for healthcare systems,” Prof. Sood emphasized.

Education was another key area of focus in his address. Prof. Sood pointed out that AI-powered personalized learning platforms have the potential to revolutionize education by tailoring content to meet individual learning needs and paces, thereby making education more accessible and effective. “Education is the foundation of a developed nation, and AI can be the catalyst for change,” he remarked.

Despite the undeniable benefits of AI, Prof. Sood also emphasized the need for responsible and ethical AI adoption. He advocated for a risk-based approach in line with Responsible and Trustworthy AI (RTAI) principles. “As we embrace AI, we must build safeguards around its use, ensuring that AI development aligns with our values of fairness, transparency, and inclusivity,” he added.

One of the highlights of the conclave was the launch of a report titled "Identifying AI-Generated Content in the Digital Age: The Role of Watermarking," prepared by FICCI and EY. The report highlights the growing importance of distinguishing AI-generated content from human-created material. It stresses the need for transparency, allowing consumers to identify such content to foster informed decision-making. The report also suggests that India could establish a secure and trustworthy domestic digital ecosystem.

Prominent attendees at the event included Ms Roma Datta Chobey, Chairperson of the Technology Committee at FICCI and Manager at Google India Pvt Ltd.; Ms Shalini Kapoor, Chief Technologist, Asia Pacific Japan at Amazon Web Services (AWS); Mr Rajnish Gupta from EY; and Mr Chetan Bijesure, Assistant Secretary General of FICCI. Together, they shared insights on how AI is set to reshape industries, foster innovation, and strengthen India's global AI leadership.

The AI India Conclave marks a significant step in India's AI journey, reinforcing the country's commitment to using artificial intelligence to drive economic, societal, and technological advancement.

Source: Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India

Additional source: FICCI