New Delhi, February 19: The five-day ‘India AI Impact Summit 2026′ is underway in the national capital, featuring experts and companies from across the globe showcasing their AI solutions.
On the third day of the summit, policymakers, industry leaders, and startup representatives shared their visions for making AI accessible to the general public. The main focus of the summit is to ensure that artificial intelligence benefits all segments of society, not just large corporations.
During the event, Vishal Kumar Dev, Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy, Electronics, and IT Department of the Odisha government, spoke to a news agency, highlighting that the summit is a significant initiative to position India as a leader in “AI for the Common Good.” He emphasized the need for democratizing AI resources so that every section of society can benefit.
Dev noted that Odisha is the first state in the country to create a dedicated AI policy aligned with the national AI strategy. The state has prioritized sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and disaster management, with disaster management being particularly crucial for Odisha.
He stated that AI should be accessible and affordable for everyone, not just a select few institutions. In a diverse country like India, the importance of local languages is paramount. This is why the Odisha government is working extensively on creating datasets in the Odia language. He also mentioned that the state recently signed an MoU to establish a sovereign AI facility in Odisha with an investment of $2.3 billion.
Additionally, Manoj Verma, Director of Lyra India, shared insights about his company, a French multinational payment solutions provider operating in India for the past 18 years. He stated that AI will make digital payments faster, safer, and more efficient.
Verma highlighted the rapid increase in digital payment usage in India, though he noted that awareness and adoption are still needed in remote areas. AI will expedite this process and add an extra layer of security to reduce fraud. Lyra is running a ‘Digital Payment Friend’ program to educate students in colleges and universities about the proper use and precautions of digital payments.
Ayush Jain, CEO of TechShalok, explained that his company designs hardware capable of running AI models. He mentioned that they have developed a $22 Linux computer that can easily run AI models, allowing companies to install edge AI on indigenous hardware without relying on expensive foreign boards like Nvidia or Raspberry Pi. Jain noted that the government’s efforts have led to significant positive changes and better management during the summit.
Dr. Suvidutt Sundaram, co-founder and director of Overrule.ai, shared that their startup provides AI-based assistance to Supreme Court lawyers in drafting, research, and translation. The company utilizes a knowledge base based on Supreme Court and High Court decisions, with plans to expand their services nationwide and globally in the coming years.
Akash Sinha, CEO of Omnipresent Robot Tech, expressed pride in hosting such a large-scale AI summit in India, noting that the current government is providing substantial support to startups under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for India’ initiatives.
He acknowledged that AI will change the nature of many jobs, potentially impacting some entry-level positions, but it will also lead to significant productivity gains. He urged young people to become AI literate and develop expertise in specific fields. Sinha also stressed the importance of incorporating strong security features and encryption in AI and robotics to mitigate hacking threats.
Dr. Hasan Baig from the University of East London mentioned that students from various countries, including India, study at their university. He shared that they are working on integrating AI into new technologies in fields like engineering, medicine, and clean energy.
He further explained that they are researching ways to enhance future energy systems by combining renewable energy and AI. They are collaborating on a project called ‘Energize’ with IIT Delhi and IIT Madras, aimed at preparing the next generation for new technologies.
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My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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