Sunil Mittal Highlights AI's Transformative Impact and Calls for Industry-Led Innovation in India

AI: A Generational Shift with Far-Reaching Impact

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has declared artificial intelligence (AI) as a "generational shift" with an impact far greater than the internet, touching almost every aspect of our lives 1

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. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, Mittal emphasized the sweeping influence of AI across various sectors, highlighting both its potential and challenges.

AI's Impact on Employment and Workforce

One of the most significant impacts of AI in India, according to Mittal, is its effect on employment, particularly given India's large, young workforce. He pointed out that AI is already disrupting traditional job roles, especially in software engineering, where "even a layperson can now speak to a machine to write code" 1

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Mittal expressed concern about the future job market, stating, "India has the largest workforce, the youngest developing in the world. There are 20 million children in the age group six to sixteen. In ten year's time, they will be sixteen to twenty-six, each wanting a job. AI will create difficulties in that area" 1

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Opportunities and Challenges

Despite the challenges, Mittal remains optimistic about the opportunities AI presents. He emphasized that leveraging AI technology is imperative for India's growth, stating, "Using AI will become absolutely important for everyone, especially in emerging countries like India" 1

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Call for Government Support and Industry Action

Mittal urged the government to create an enabling environment to drive industrial growth. He presented recommendations to ease regulatory hurdles, including reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), improvements in the Ease of Doing Business, and a more competitive corporate tax regime 2

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Focus on Research and Development

Expressing concern over India's limited investment in research and development (R&D), which remains under 1 percent of GDP, Mittal called on the private sector to step up. He emphasized the need for aggressive investment in deep tech and innovation, stating, "Our large domestic market gives us scale, but we need intellectual leadership too. Only then can the government scale its R&D efforts with confidence" 1

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Industry-Academia Collaboration

Mittal stressed the importance of collaboration between industry and academia to build a globally competitive, job-ready workforce. He highlighted emerging fields such as AI, green energy, space communication, and next-gen telecom as areas demanding urgent attention 2

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Trade Reset and Export Strategy

Advocating for a fundamental reset in India's trade strategy, Mittal emphasized the need to diversify exports and prioritize value addition. He asserted, "We must diversify our export basket and focus on products and services that are needed globally. No raw material should leave our shores without value addition" 1

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India's Demographic Advantage

Mittal highlighted India's demographic advantage, pointing out that as developed economies age and immigration restrictions rise, India's young population stands as a strategic asset. This advantage positions India to potentially become a global workforce leader 2

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As AI continues to reshape industries and economies worldwide, Mittal's insights underscore the urgent need for India to adapt, innovate, and lead in this new technological era. The call for increased R&D investment, stronger industry-academia partnerships, and a strategic approach to AI adoption sets a clear agenda for India's path forward in the AI-driven future.