- Dr Nishant A.Irudayadason
Professor of Philosophy and Ethics,
Jnana-Deepa Institute of
Philosophy & Theology, Pune.
India is on the cusp of a technological revolution, with artificial intelligence (AI) poised to transform its economy, society, and way of life. With a population of over 1.4 billion, half of whom are under 25, and a thriving tech ecosystem in major cities, India has the raw energy to become a global leader in AI. Government initiatives, such as Digital India and the National AI Strategy, are fuelling this ambition, with projections estimating that AI could inject $957 billion into the economy by 2035. In agriculture, which employs nearly 50% of the workforce, AI is breathing new life into a sector that has been battered by unpredictable monsoons and outdated practices. In healthcare, where India struggles with a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:1,445, AI tools are making a difference. Education is another frontier, where using AI to tailor lessons for millions of students addresses gaps in a system plagued by teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms. From revolutionising farming to improving healthcare and education, AI offers solutions to challenges that have long held India back.
But this bright promise is overshadowed by the threat of widespread job losses. India’s economy relies heavily on labour-intensive sectors, such as manufacturing, retail, and IT services, which employ millions. A 2018 World Economic Forum report warned that automation could displace 15% of India’s workforce by 2030, with low-skilled workers in cities and small towns being hit hardest. In the IT sector, a cornerstone of India’s growth, routine tasks such as coding, data entry, and customer support are being automated by AI algorithms and chatbots. While AI is creating new roles in data science and machine learning, these jobs demand advanced skills that India’s education system—plagued by uneven quality and limited reach—cannot yet provide at scale. Only 36% of rural India had internet access in 2023, making online reskilling programmes inaccessible to many. Without massive investment in vocational training, this automation wave could deepen India’s economic divide, where the top 1% already controls over 40% of the nation’s wealth. The risk is not just unemployment but growing resentment in a country with a history of economic and social tensions.
The ethical challenges of AI are even more alarming, particularly the rise of deepfake videos that threaten India’s fragile social harmony. In a nation with over 2,000 ethnic groups, 22 official languages, and deep religious and caste divisions, deepfakes—AI-generated videos that convincingly mimic real people—can be catastrophic. Malicious people can use AI to spread misinformation, fuel communal tensions, or influence elections, as seen in the use of doctored videos during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Beyond deepfakes, AI systems trained on biased datasets can perpetuate existing forms of discrimination. Facial recognition tools, increasingly used for policing and surveillance, have misidentified darker-skinned individuals and marginalised communities, leading to wrongful arrests in cities like Delhi. Privacy is another casualty. Despite the 2023 Digital Personal Data Protection Act, India’s data laws lag behind AI’s data-hungry algorithms. Aadhaar-linked services and smart city projects, while innovative, raise concerns about mass surveillance, with reports of data breaches exposing the personal information of millions of citizens. In a society already grappling with caste and gender inequities, unchecked AI could deepen divisions, eroding trust in institutions.
To harness AI’s potential while mitigating these risks, India needs bold and inclusive action. Expanding reskilling programmes like the National Skill Development Mission is urgent, with a focus on reaching rural workers and women, who are often left behind. For example, training centres in many villages could teach AI-related skills, such as data annotation, to those with a basic education. Public-private partnerships can drive the development of ethical AI, requiring companies to conduct bias audits and ensure transparency in their algorithms. To combat deepfakes, India could consider mandating watermarking for AI-generated content and imposing strict penalties for its misuse. Strengthening data protection laws and creating a national AI ethics council would safeguard privacy and equity, ensuring AI respects India’s diversity. The government could also incentivise startups to develop AI tools in Indian languages, making technology more accessible to non-English speakers. By investing in education, regulation, and inclusive innovation, India can turn AI into a force for progress. The stakes are high, but with vision and resolve, India can shape an AI future that lifts all its people, not just the privileged few.
