Google CEO Sundar Pichai has highlighted India’s immense potential in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), predicting an “extraordinary trajectory” for the nation. Speaking on Wednesday, Pichai emphasized Google’s strong commitment to partnering with India as it undergoes a significant AI transformation. He believes India’s unique characteristics position it as a global AI leader. AI as a Solution for India’s Challenges Pichai described AI as the “biggest platform shift of our lifetime,” emphasizing its power to tackle large-scale challenges. He pointed to examples such as improving the accuracy of healthcare diagnoses and providing farmers with timely, real-time alerts to help them manage their crops. He believes AI can be a powerful tool for positive change across various sectors in India. India’s Strengths: Diversity and Digital Infrastructure Pichai noted that India’s diverse population, its wide range of languages, and its well-developed digital public infrastructure create a strong foundation for AI innovation. He suggested that India could serve as a model for how to make AI accessible and beneficial to everyone around the world. Trust and Responsibility in AI Development Pichai stressed the importance of building trust, ensuring safety, and promoting inclusivity as AI technology is adopted. He emphasized that AI should be designed to work effectively across different languages and within local contexts. He stated that people need to be able to rely on AI to deliver real-world benefits. Transparency, responsible development, and a focus on positive outcomes are crucial for building trust in AI, he said. India-America Connect Initiative: Boosting AI Connectivity Pichai announced the India-America Connect Initiative, a project focused on deploying new subsea cable routes. These cables will significantly improve AI connectivity between the United States, India, and various locations in the Southern Hemisphere. He expressed his excitement about the future being built in India, highlighting Google’s comprehensive connectivity infrastructure in the country. Investing in India’s AI Future Pichai reiterated Google’s previous announcement of a substantial $15 billion investment in an AI hub located in India. This hub will include significant computing power and an international subsea cable gateway, bringing new jobs and advanced AI infrastructure to the country. Upskilling India for the AI Era Google is launching ambitious skilling programs, including a Google AI Professional Certificate Program offered in both English and Hindi. These programs are designed to equip students and early-career professionals with the AI skills they need to succeed. Collaborating for Widespread AI Adoption Google is partnering with organizations like Karma Yogi Bharat to support over 20 million public servants. They are also working with Atal Tinkering Labs to introduce AI tools to 10,000 schools. Additionally, Google has launched a $30 million AI for Science Impact Challenge to advance global research. Pichai emphasized the importance of working with institutions that deeply understand local communities to ensure AI is developed and deployed responsibly and effectively. He highlighted collaborations with IITs, government agencies, and local institutions to expand access to AI at scale. Post navigation ‘Gold, silver prices may fall by 10% in 6 months’:Expert cautions investors; silver prices already down ₹1.49 lakh per kg in less than 30 days
