Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently convened a roundtable meeting with founders and leaders of India’s artificial intelligence startups to discuss how the country can accelerate innovation and build a strong domestic AI ecosystem. The meeting focused on identifying challenges, sharing success stories, and exploring ways the government and private sector can work together to ensure that AI benefits India’s economy and society. Participants included a diverse mix of early‑stage ventures and scaling companies developing AI solutions across sectors.
A key theme of the discussion was the need to foster AI talent and research capacity within India. PM Modi underscored the importance of investing in education, skilling programs, and research infrastructure so that Indian innovators can compete globally. Start‑up leaders highlighted the urgency of building deeper technical expertise and attracting world‑class talent, noting that partnerships with academic institutions and international collaborators could help bridge gaps.
The roundtable also addressed regulatory and policy support for startups. Entrepreneurs shared concerns about access to capital, data governance frameworks, and compliance costs that can slow down innovation. In response, the prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a predictable policy environment that encourages experimentation, protects users, and accelerates AI adoption, especially in areas like health, agriculture, and governance.
Overall, the meeting reflected India’s broader ambition to position itself as a leader in the global AI landscape. By bringing together government leaders and startup innovators, the dialogue aimed to align national priorities with the real‑world needs of emerging AI companies. The message was clear: collaboration between policymakers and the AI startup ecosystem is crucial for driving inclusive growth and technological leadership in the years ahead.
