Artificial Intelligence is set to become a cornerstone of India’s transformation into a developed nation by 2047, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said at the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 here today.

Speaking at the event, MeitY Secretary S Krishnan said AI must be seen not as an isolated technology but as a “cross-cutting force” that touches every sector of the economy.

He emphasised that the true value of technology lies in how it improves people’s lives and enhances social welfare. “The critical aspect of all technology is the impact it has on society and the quality of life it offers to citizens,” he noted.

Highlighting the government’s efforts to create a robust AI ecosystem, Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at MeitY and CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, elaborated on the seven pillars of the national strategy.

These include affordable computing infrastructure, high-quality datasets, indigenous large-language models, startup enablement, and frameworks for safe and trustworthy AI. Singh said these initiatives are aimed at closing existing gaps and positioning India as a global leader in AI development and deployment.

Industry participation at the conclave reflected growing private sector engagement with India’s AI ambitions. Sridhar Vembu, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of Zoho Corporation, said resource limitations often inspire greater innovation.

“When you don’t have all the resources available, those constraints push you to come up with better solutions,” he remarked, underscoring the need for ingenuity and frugal innovation in India’s AI journey.

The ESTIC 2025 conclave served as a key platform to deliberate on the evolving role of AI in national development. It also set the stage for the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit 2026, where India is expected to showcase its advancements in digital infrastructure, indigenous AI models, and governance frameworks promoting responsible innovation.

With technology at the heart of economic and social transformation, MeitY’s vision reflects a strong commitment to making AI an integral force in shaping Viksit Bharat 2047—a technologically advanced, inclusive, and self-reliant India.