Feb 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held an extensive roundtable interaction with CEOs and founders of leading AI and deeptech startups at Seva Teerth in New Delhi, underscoring India’s ambition to emerge as a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence and frontier technologies.
The high-level meeting brought together leaders from 16 startups working across healthcare, agriculture, cybersecurity, space technology and social empowerment. The discussion focused on harnessing Artificial Intelligence for population-scale impact while ensuring responsible innovation aligned with India’s developmental priorities.
AI for Agriculture, Environment and Education
During the interaction, the Prime Minister highlighted the transformative potential of AI in key sectors such as agriculture and environmental protection. He emphasised how data-driven technologies can assist farmers with crop planning, weather forecasting, soil health monitoring and supply chain optimisation.
In the field of environmental sustainability, AI-powered solutions can enable better climate modelling, biodiversity tracking and resource management. Mr Modi noted that emerging technologies must contribute meaningfully to addressing India’s environmental challenges.
He also stressed the importance of promoting higher education in mother tongues using AI tools. By leveraging language technologies, India can democratise access to quality education and make advanced knowledge resources available to students across linguistic backgrounds.
Strong Data Governance and Tackling Misinformation
A significant part of the discussion centred on the need for robust data governance frameworks. The Prime Minister cautioned against the misuse of AI technologies, particularly the risks associated with misinformation and deepfakes.
He underscored that innovation must be accompanied by accountability and ethical safeguards. Ensuring data privacy, transparency and security remains critical as AI systems become increasingly embedded in everyday life.
Mr Modi urged startup founders to develop solutions tailored specifically to India’s unique social, economic and cultural context rather than relying solely on imported models. He encouraged companies to build technologies that address local challenges while remaining globally competitive.
UPI as a Model of Scalable Innovation
Referring to Unified Payments Interface, the Prime Minister described it as a model of simple, scalable and inclusive digital innovation. UPI’s rapid adoption, he said, demonstrates how India can create world-class digital public infrastructure that benefits millions.
Drawing parallels with AI, he expressed confidence that Indian companies can replicate similar success in advanced technologies. He encouraged entrepreneurs to maintain trust in domestic products and leverage India’s growing digital ecosystem.
Expanding Private Participation in Space
The Prime Minister also touched upon expanding private participation in the space sector. With India opening up space activities to private enterprises in recent years, deeptech startups are increasingly exploring opportunities in satellite technology, launch services and space-based applications.
Mr Modi noted the strong investor interest in Indian startups, reflecting global confidence in India’s innovation ecosystem. He emphasised that the synergy between government support and private enterprise is essential for accelerating technological advancement.
Startups Present Diverse Innovations
CEOs and founders from 16 AI and deeptech startups presented their ideas and ongoing projects during the roundtable. Companies such as Abridge, Adalat AI, BrainSightAI, Credo AI, Eka Care, Glean, Invideo and Miko, among others, showcased their contributions to sectors ranging from medical diagnostics to generative AI and robotics.
These startups are working toward creating scalable solutions capable of delivering large-scale social and economic impact. From AI-assisted healthcare platforms improving patient outcomes to cybersecurity solutions enhancing digital resilience, the diversity of innovation highlighted India’s expanding deeptech capabilities.
The Prime Minister congratulated the innovators for taking bold risks and building impactful technologies. He acknowledged that entrepreneurship involves uncertainty but said such risk-taking is essential for driving transformative change.
Industry Applauds India’s AI Push
Participants at the roundtable praised India’s sustained efforts to strengthen its artificial intelligence ecosystem. They highlighted policy initiatives, research investments and startup-friendly regulations as key enablers of rapid sectoral growth.
The founders noted that global momentum in AI innovation and deployment is increasingly shifting towards India. With a vast talent pool, robust digital infrastructure and a rapidly expanding market, India is emerging as a critical node in the global AI landscape.
They also lauded the India AI Impact Summit, describing it as a reflection of the country’s growing stature in shaping global AI discourse. The summit, according to participants, signals India’s readiness to influence international conversations on AI governance, ethics and collaboration.
India’s Growing Global AI Footprint
The roundtable at Seva Teerth reflects a broader strategy to position India at the forefront of next-generation technologies. By engaging directly with startup founders and technology leaders, the government aims to align policy priorities with industry innovation.
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries worldwide, India’s approach emphasises inclusive growth, ethical safeguards and indigenous capability building. The Prime Minister’s message underscored confidence in domestic innovation and reiterated the importance of creating solutions designed for India’s unique challenges.
With strong investor interest, policy support and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, India’s AI and deeptech sector appears poised for sustained growth. The roundtable discussion marks another step in strengthening collaboration between government and innovators as the country advances toward becoming a global AI leader.
