Unlocking Transformative Potential: Major AI Opportunities in Jobs and Governance Revealed by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan
Ahead of the highly anticipated India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) offered insights on the country’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor ambitions, and the role of digital governance. Speaking at The Hindu MIND event moderated by Aroon Deep, he emphasized the need for robust infrastructure-specifically compute, datasets, and models-to foster AI development in India.
With global representatives expected at the summit, he highlighted India’s promising position in the AI landscape. “Our model has garnered interest from countries in the Global South,” he noted, indicating that AI’s deployment will be crucial for businesses to enhance productivity and effectiveness. India ranks third on the Vibrancy Index and second for skill penetration in AI, suggesting a significant opportunity for startups to expand not only domestically but also to global markets.
While there are concerns about job displacement in the traditional IT sector due to AI automation, he cited a NITI Aayog study indicating that new job opportunities will emerge in various fields, particularly in governance, where AI can substantially improve quality. He acknowledged the risks associated with AI, emphasizing the government’s readiness to enact regulations when necessary.
Discussing regulatory practices, he referred to the guidelines issued by the Principal Scientific Adviser on AI Governance, advocating the use of existing laws, including the Information Technology Act and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. New rules will require labeling of AI-generated content and reducing takedown timelines for harmful material from 24-36 hours to just 2-3 hours. The rationale behind this rapid response framework is to mitigate potential damage from misleading content quickly.
Turning to electronics manufacturing, the Secretary addressed the need for self-reliance amid global supply chain challenges. He acknowledged the historical context of India’s electronic industry and now stresses the importance of bolstering domestic capacity. Initiatives like the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme aim to enhance value addition in local production, targeting an increase from 18-20% to 35-40%, which would catapult India closer to China’s levels.
In response to industry queries about the 18-month compliance timeline under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, he clarified that dialogues are ongoing with stakeholders to potentially reduce this period, accommodating industries ready for faster compliance.
The Secretary acknowledged parallels drawn between the current AI landscape and the nascent COVID-19 awareness in early 2020, asserting that while AI’s transformative potential is immense, its practical utility remains uncertain. He advocated a focus on specialized AI tools offering real-world benefits rather than speculative, agentic AI scenarios.
In light of the potential for unethical AI use, India’s role as a leader from the Global South in AI ethics and safety was stressed. The government’s actions on online speech are minimal, accounting for less than 0.1% of total take-down requests, a statistic aimed at removing misinformation rather than suppressing free expression.
Addressing environmental concerns related to AI’s energy consumption, he pointed out India’s extensive renewable energy grid as an opportunity to sustainably power data centers. Current norms remain stringent regarding water and electrics, with any relaxations focused solely on construction times.
As the country gears up for the summit, the focus remains on stewardship in AI, promising opportunities for innovation while navigating governance challenges and environmental responsibilities.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/major-opportunities-for-ai-in-jobs-and-governance-says-meity-secretary-s-krishnan/article70630166.ece
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Publish Date: 2026-02-14 05:08:00
