India Must Harness AI as a Force for Social Good to Drive Inclusive and Transformative Growth: S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) organised a Curtain Raiser event on October 23, 2025, to build momentum for its participation in the Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025.

The curtain raiser event was chaired by  S Krishnan, Secretary MeitY, in presence of Dr. Ganesh Ramakrishnan, Institute Chair Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay and Ms. Kavita Bhatia, Scientist G and Group Coordinator, AI & ET Division, MeitY.

Speaking at the Curtain Raiser,   S. Krishnan, Secretary, 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”

Ms. Kavita Bhatia, Scientist G and Group Coordinator, AI & ET Division, MeitY said “AI is a kinetic enabler, empowering us to leapfrog traditional development barriers and catalyse large-scale socio-economic transformation. Our approach has been guided by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s inclusive development philosophy, which is deeply rooted in the ethos of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, aur Sabka Prayaas, placing ‘AI for All’ at its very core.”

Dr. Ganesh Ramakrishnan, Institute Chair Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay said “India has a unique advantage because of its diversity and strong digital public infrastructure. Aadhaar, UPI, and other platforms have provided the backbone for scalable AI solutions. Remarkable initiatives like Bhashini and the National Sovereign AI Ecosystem, BharatGen, demonstrate our commitment to building context-aware, multilingual, and multimodal AI rooted in India. It’s equally important to ensure these technologies address last-mile access to the underserved and empower Indian industry and startups to harness AI’s potential.”