On AI Appreciation Day, tech leaders call for inclusive, human-centric innovation

As India celebrates AI Appreciation Day, prominent figures from the tech and startup sectors have underscored the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence in shaping the nation’s digital landscape. They assert that AI has evolved into a crucial driver of growth, promoting inclusivity and sustainable innovation across the country. The observance of AI Appreciation Day is a testament to India's increasing prominence in the global AI arena. The journey began in the 1960s with foundational research in computer science, followed by significant milestones like the Knowledge-Based Computer Systems project in 1986. The 1990s saw advancements in supercomputing and early AI initiatives led by organizations like C-DAC, while the 2000s marked substantial investments in AI from major IT firms such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro, alongside the development of a skilled workforce in universities. With the launch of the Digital India initiative in 2015 and NITI Aayog's AI strategy in 2018, the momentum for AI growth intensified. Ganesh Gopalan, Co-Founder and CEO of Gnani.ai, emphasized AI's role in enhancing India’s multilingual and digitally diverse environment. “AI is an enabler of growth and innovation for every corner of India,” he remarked, celebrating advancements in voice AI and generative models that enhance digital accessibility. Nishant Patel, Co-founder and CTO of Contentstack, referred to AI as the backbone of modern digital innovation, simplifying processes and allowing creators to concentrate on impactful work. India now boasts the fastest-growing developer population worldwide and ranks second in public generative AI projects on GitHub, housing 16% of the world’s AI talent and demonstrating its significant influence in the field. Murugan Anjunan, CTO of HerKey, highlighted AI's transformative potential in the workplace for women. He stated, “We don’t view AI as a disruptor in isolation, but as a dynamic partner in progress.” Similarly, Divye Agarwal, Co-founder of BingeLabs, spoke to AI's role in fostering creative equity, breaking down barriers through content generation in local languages and culturally relevant formats. Manish Jha, CTO of Addverb, noted how AI is revolutionizing automation with a focus on human-centric approaches. From an ecosystem standpoint, Jaspreet Bindra, CEO of AI&Beyond, provided insights into the flourishing AI startup scene in India, reporting a 40% increase in funding for 2024, amounting to nearly USD 800 million. However, he cautioned that while funding is rising, the number of large deals has decreased, and startups are grappling with challenges related to data access, talent shortages, and GPU availability. On the public sector front, the government has allocated over ₹10,300 crore for the IndiaAI Mission, a significant boost to the nation’s AI framework. Praveen Kumar V, Founder & CEO of Thriftizer Solutions, remarked on AI's influence in transforming digital commerce by automating tasks and enhancing strategic thinking. Meanwhile, Prashant Singh, CEO & Co-Founder of Blue Planet Environmental Solutions, emphasized AI's critical role in environmental management, facilitating a shift from reactive to proactive strategies in waste management. This recognition of AI's multifaceted contributions highlights a collective vision for a future where technology and humanity progress together, paving the way for a more equitable and innovative society.