NEW DELHI, India — India is at the threshold of a major technological shift, with artificial intelligence expected to play a defining role in the country’s growth and innovation over the coming decade, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on Wednesday.
Addressing an event in the national capital, Pichai described the current phase as a turning point driven by rapid advances in technology and large-scale adoption of AI across sectors.
“It feels like the beginning of a decade-long change driven by technology, innovation and large-scale adoption of AI,” he said.
Pichai said India is uniquely positioned to benefit from artificial intelligence due to its scale, talent base, and digital maturity, but emphasized that the opportunity also brings responsibility. He said sustained investment in AI research and broader deployment across industries will be critical to ensuring long-term and inclusive gains.
“The country must ensure strong investments go into AI research and into spreading the use of AI across all sectors,” he said, adding that building strong foundational layers of AI is essential for its benefits to reach all parts of society and the economy.
Highlighting India’s rapid digital evolution, Pichai said the country has seen an extraordinary transformation in recent years. He noted that Indian users rank among the world’s highest adopters of voice-based and image-based search, reflecting how quickly new technologies are embraced.
He also said India has emerged as one of the largest markets for Gemini, underlining the growing role of AI-powered tools among Indian users.
Pichai stressed the importance of preparing the next generation for a technology-driven future, saying Alphabet is working with Atal Tinkering Labs to introduce robotics and coding into school classrooms. The initiative aims to promote creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills at an early age.
According to Pichai, India’s combination of scale, digital adoption, and skilled workforce positions it as a key player in the global AI landscape. He said that with the right policies and investments, artificial intelligence could become a powerful engine for inclusive growth and long-term transformation.
Earlier in the day, Pichai said Google is integrating AI across its India operations to improve healthcare outcomes, support startups, boost agricultural productivity, and expand digital services.
He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss India’s progress in artificial intelligence and opportunities for deeper collaboration between the government and Google. Modi said the discussions focused on India’s rapid advances in AI and the scope for strengthening cooperation in the field. (Source: IANS)
