India’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI) diverges from the predominant discourse in the West, focusing on the abundant opportunities rather than fixating on potential risks, emphasized Debjani Ghosh, the president of Nasscom, the apex body of the IT industry in India.
Opportunity-centric approach
Ghosh advocated for a distinct approach tailored to India’s context, highlighting the need to shift the narrative from fear to optimism regarding AI. While acknowledging the importance of oversight, she stressed the significance of embracing the potential of AI to drive innovation and growth.
Ghosh emphasized the pivotal role of the startup ecosystem in harnessing AI’s potential. She noted that the tools, products, and services essential for leveraging AI capabilities would predominantly emerge from startups. Ghosh envisioned this synergy between AI and startups as instrumental in propelling India towards becoming a developed nation, envisioning a “Viksit Bharat.”
Government support and initiatives
Commending the government’s proactive stance, Ghosh applauded the recent allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for the IndiaAI Mission. She hailed it as a holistic initiative geared towards fostering AI-driven competitiveness and growth on a national scale. Ghosh underscored the significance of deep-tech solutions in realizing India’s ambitious growth targets in the coming years.
Echoing Ghosh’s sentiments, industry experts at the Startup Mahakumbh event concurred that the startup ecosystem would spearhead India’s deep tech revolution. This collective vision underscores the pivotal role of startups in driving innovation and technological advancement, particularly in high-end technology sectors such as AI, Internet of Things (IoT), space technology, and machine learning.
The government’s deep tech policy
Highlighting the government’s commitment to nurturing deep tech innovation, RK Singh, the secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), revealed that the depth policy is nearing finalization following extensive inter-ministerial consultations. The policy aims to provide comprehensive support to startups operating in cutting-edge technology domains, further accelerating India’s technological prowess.
In a significant move to bolster deep tech initiatives, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had previously announced a new scheme during the interim budget, allocating a substantial corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore. This financial impetus underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and technology-driven growth, particularly in deep tech sectors.
India’s approach to AI, championed by leaders like Debjani Ghosh, embodies a forward-thinking perspective that prioritizes opportunities over apprehensions. With a robust startup ecosystem and unwavering government support, India is poised to lead the deep tech revolution, leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to drive inclusive growth and technological excellence. As the nation embarks on this transformative journey, the collaboration between industry, government, and academia will be pivotal in realizing India’s vision of becoming a global powerhouse in AI and deep tech innovation.