India Must Harness AI as a Force for Social Good to Drive Inclusive and Transformative Growth, says S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY
NEW DELHI (India CSR): In a bold call to action, top government leaders say India must use Artificial Intelligence (AI) like a superpower to lift everyone up – from farmers in villages to tech whizzes in cities. This comes hot on the heels of a big teaser event yesterday, setting the stage for a massive conclave next week.
S. Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), dropped the mic during a “Curtain Raiser” event on October 23. “AI is the rocket fuel for India’s rise as a developed nation,” he said simply. “But we can’t let it zoom past the little guy. We need ways for everyone to grab a seat and benefit – that’s what makes it a force for good.”
Picture this: AI isn’t just fancy chatbots or self-driving cars. It’s tools that could spot diseases early in remote areas, help farmers predict rains better, or teach kids in local languages. The event, held with experts from IIT Bombay and MeitY, kicked off hype for the Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025, happening November 3-5 at Bharat Mandapam in the capital.
AI as a Force for Good: MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan Emphasizes Inclusive Growth Through Technology
S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), said,
“If India is to become a developed nation, we must ride the wave of technology, and AI is perhaps the most crucial technology driving that transformation. To achieve this, we need inclusive mechanisms that ensure people can access and benefit from AI in meaningful ways. In that context, this event is especially significant, and its theme, ‘Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact,’ is aptly chosen. It reflects our focus on how AI can make a real difference in society and influence how we perceive and use technology. India’s intent is clear — we must view AI as a force for good and approach it in a positive, transformative way.”
Spotlight on “AI for Social Impact” – Coming November 4
MeitY is stealing the show with a special session on November 4: AI for Social Impact. It’s all about building AI that’s smart, cheap to run, and laser-focused on India’s real problems – like clean water, better jobs, and green energy. Think of it as AI with a heart, pushing towards “Viksit Bharat 2047” (a fully developed India by 2047).
Big names are jumping in: Dr. Sridhar Vembu of Zoho will keynote, joined by stars like IBM’s AI guru Dr. Sriram Raghavan, Niramai’s cancer-detection whiz Dr. Geetha Manjunath, and IIT Madras prof Balaraman Ravindran. They’ll chat with government folks, startup bosses, and academics on how to team up and make AI work for all.
Ms. Kavita Bhatia from MeitY nailed it: “AI is like a fast-forward button for progress. It’s inspired by PM Modi’s idea of ‘everyone together’ – AI for all, no exceptions.” And Dr. Ganesh Ramakrishnan from IIT Bombay added, “India’s got gold in its digital backbone like Aadhaar and UPI. Projects like Bhashini (for all-India languages) and BharatGen (homegrown AI) show we’re building tech that speaks our lingo and reaches the last village.”
What’s Next? A Giant AI Summit in 2026
This isn’t a one-off. ESTIC is just the warm-up for MeitY’s mega India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20 in Delhi. It’ll zoom in on three big ideas: People (jobs and skills), Planet (eco-friendly tech), and Progress (fair growth for all).
In short, India’s betting big on AI not as a rich-kid toy, but a ladder for the common man. As Krishnan put it, “Let’s ride this wave together – positive, game-changing, and for everyone.” Stay tuned; the future’s knocking!
Reported by PIB Delhi, with updates on October 24.
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