It's Time Take Charge of the AI Era

A few months ago, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal stirred controversy by taking a jibe at Indian Startups: “What are India’s startups today? We are focused on food delivery apps, turning unemployed youth into cheap labour so the rich can get their meals without moving out of their house.” Although this comment vastly oversimplifies the real diversity of India’s tech startup space, the current reality is also far from ideal. The slowdown in startup funding, a shrinking pool of quality angel investors, and reduced venture capital point to an ecosystem in need of urgent revival. The country is crying out for visionary inventions and business models that

address core challenges — like ultra-affordable housing, raising civic standards, making cities cleaner and safer, and curbing corruption.

The promotion of gimmicky “AI teachers” in schools— essentially Android-based, Intel-powered mannequins that act like Alexa—misses the actual priority. The corporate sector is already optimizing AI-driven decision processes, and India’s focus must shift toward true innovation and engineering that can meet such demands. The opportunity remains profound. Consider Agentic AI: a new class of intelligent system designed to autonomously accomplish goals and navigate complex workflows with minimal human input. In organizations, Agentic AI can surpass conventional solutions by delivering highly personalized user experiences, such as customizing access controls and creating solutions tailored to individual behaviors and patterns. The leaders of India Inc must take decisive action and embrace the leading edge of artificial intelligence to write the next chapter in our nation’s success story. This special issue of CEO Insights is shedding light on this breed of leaders. Do let us know your thoughts.