Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize key sectors in India, with experts highlighting its significant potential in healthcare and education. During the NDTV World Summit 2024, Dr. Rohini Srivathsa, Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft India and South Asia, emphasized AI’s ability to perform tasks previously deemed impossible in these fields. She illustrated the transformative impact of AI by describing a scenario where doctors utilize AI assistants to stay updated on global disease developments.
“Healthcare and education are two sectors where you will see AI being able to do things that were not possible earlier,” Dr. Srivathsa stated, underscoring the technology’s growing influence. Moreover, she noted that AI will enable India to celebrate its linguistic diversity, facilitating the learning of languages beyond English.
Saurabh Kumar Sahu, Managing Director and Lead of India Business Accenture, echoed this sentiment by acknowledging the rapid growth of AI in the country. “AI is growing faster than what it can be put to use. We don’t have to worry about the pace of AI at the moment,” he remarked, indicating confidence in the country’s AI trajectory. Sahu further elaborated on the concept of “AI for me means Atmanirbhar India,” advocating for AI’s integration into the nation’s development strategy.
In Karnataka, Microsoft’s generative AI tool, Shiksha Copilot, exemplifies AI’s practical application in education. Launched recently, this assistant supports teachers in crafting personalized lesson plans, even within diverse classrooms where students possess varying skill levels. As Srivathsa pointed out, “This allows teachers in Kannada to prepare a lesson plan for their students that is tailored to that particular student’s interest. That was impossible earlier.” With such advancements, AI continues to pave the way for inclusive and effective education solutions in India.