AI must empower citizens, not replace them: IndiaAI Mission CEO

Artificial Intelligence is already transforming how people learn, work and access services across India, and the country is now positioning itself to ensure that the technology benefits citizens in an inclusive and responsible manner.

This message emerged during the latest episode of Digital India – Ask Our Experts aired on February 6, which featured Abhishek Singh, CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, discussing the upcoming India AI Impact Summit.

During the interaction, Singh said the Summit will go beyond technical debates and focus on how ordinary citizens can use AI in their daily lives, including in education, healthcare, agriculture, governance, startups, services and employment. He noted that the Summit is designed as a people-centric platform, aimed at translating global AI discussions into real and practical outcomes.

“Through the India AI Impact Summit, India is moving the global AI conversation from intent to impact, ensuring that the benefits of AI reach people, especially in developing economies and the Global South,” Singh said.

He highlighted that AI has the potential to support farmers with better crop planning and weather insights, help doctors make quicker and more accurate diagnoses, assist teachers through personalised learning tools, enable startups and small businesses to scale efficiently, and guide job seekers towards emerging career opportunities. These real-world applications will be showcased at the Summit to demonstrate AI as a tool for inclusion and empowerment.

Addressing concerns around job losses and automation, Singh said AI is not meant to replace humans but to augment human capabilities. While some roles may evolve, he said AI is expected to create new jobs, skills and opportunities, particularly for India’s youth, professionals, researchers and entrepreneurs. He encouraged citizens to focus on continuous learning, adaptability and AI literacy.

The discussion also outlined the benefits of the Summit for various stakeholders. Students will gain insights into future career pathways, professionals can explore reskilling opportunities, farmers can learn about AI-enabled agricultural solutions, startups can access policy guidance and global collaboration, researchers can engage with cutting-edge work, and policymakers can work towards building responsible AI frameworks.

Concluding the session, Singh urged citizens to actively participate in India’s AI journey, saying that the success of AI in India will depend on public trust, understanding and responsible use. He said the India AI Impact Summit is not just about technology, but about shaping an AI-driven future that works for every Indian.