New Delhi, February 17: The second day of the ‘India AI Impact Summit 2026’ saw numerous prominent leaders and experts from around the world gather in the national capital. In an exclusive interview with a news agency, Ranjana Chopra, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor at the Ministry of Culture, highlighted that the summit provides a fantastic opportunity for various ministries, startups, and private companies to showcase their AI innovations. She mentioned that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs recently developed a digital solution that translates content into four tribal languages. This initiative received positive feedback at the summit, attracting interest from several agencies.
Chopra further noted that the summit is immensely beneficial for the youth, allowing them to explore AI solutions for their everyday problems. Additionally, it serves as a platform for inspiration, networking, and job opportunities.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Dr. SP Kochhar, Director General of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), discussed the role of AI in the telecom sector. He stated that the entire operation of AI relies on telecom networks. While data is stored in data centers, it is transported via telecom networks. He pointed out that the commercial benefits of 5G networks have not yet been fully realized, but AI presents significant opportunities for the future of 5G.
Dr. Kochhar emphasized that the AI applications showcased at the summit are useful for the general public, and their increased consumption will benefit telecom networks. In the future, AI-based services on 5G networks will enhance network capabilities.
He stressed the importance of extending robust networks to remote rural areas, noting that AI cannot function without connectivity. Therefore, it is the responsibility of both the government and the industry to ensure that fiberization and ‘Right of Way’ (ROW) facilities reach every village.
He concluded that once networks reach every part of the country, AI-based services will also become accessible, allowing people to work from home as is possible in major cities today. In the coming years, AI will play a crucial role in the country’s development.
Additionally, Radha Ramaswamy Basu, CEO and Founder of IMERIT, spoke about the next phase of AI, which involves moving beyond large models to make them practically applicable. She noted that while large companies have developed significant AI models, the real challenge lies in integrating human expertise into these models. This concept, referred to as ‘Expert in the Loop’ or ‘Human in the Loop,’ will be vital in the future.
Basu explained that the focus will shift from general AI models to domain-specific solutions in areas like insurance, healthcare, and agriculture. In particular, AI tools such as small language models and vision models can prove extremely beneficial for the agricultural sector.
She shared that her company has been working in the AI field for the past eight years, creating between 9,500 to 10,000 jobs in India. She emphasized that the knowledge of experts such as mathematicians, insurance specialists, cardiologists, and chartered accountants enhances AI models. For example, she noted that developing AI for accounting requires the expertise of chartered accountants, as AI models do not inherently possess this knowledge.
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