AI Summit Sets Inclusion And Opportunity As Priorities

24 Feb 2026 CW Team

Vijay Shekhar Sharma of Paytm presented the emergence of an AI India movement and framed the moment as a source of national pride while noting a shift from novelty to impact. He said artificial intelligence is increasingly applied in business, finance, agriculture and industry to solve real-world problems at scale. In financial services he outlined the potential for AI driven insights to deepen credit access and extend meaningful inclusion to the last mile, describing the development as a path to abundance rather than job loss.

Ananya Birla of Birla AI Labs outlined a dual mandate combining applied solutions for industry with foundational research that probes whether AI understands the structure of the world beyond pattern recognition. She urged industry to examine the effect of AI on human cognition and agency while embedding models across operations to unlock productivity gains. Birla highlighted microfinance as a space where AI can be most consequential for people, suggesting that careful deployment could expand financial access for underserved communities.

Takahito Tokita, President and CEO of Fujitsu, framed AI within a societal mission focused on sustainability and building trust through innovation, stressing a human-centric approach. He argued that AI must augment creativity, critical thinking and complex judgment rather than replace human autonomy. Together the speakers reinforced a shared theme that the next phase of AI will be judged by its ability to expand opportunity, deepen inclusion and strengthen human potential, positioning India and global industry leaders at the forefront of an AI driven future.

Three keynote addresses at the summit brought together leaders from fintech, research and global technology to outline how artificial intelligence (AI) is moving beyond experimentation into real-world transformation across finance, enterprise and human capability. The speeches positioned India as a hub for the next phase of AI development and highlighted the need to link technical sophistication with social benefits. Speakers emphasised inclusion, opportunity and the expansion of human potential as critical measures of progress. Vijay Shekhar Sharma of Paytm presented the emergence of an AI India movement and framed the moment as a source of national pride while noting a shift from novelty to impact. He said artificial intelligence is increasingly applied in business, finance, agriculture and industry to solve real-world problems at scale. In financial services he outlined the potential for AI driven insights to deepen credit access and extend meaningful inclusion to the last mile, describing the development as a path to abundance rather than job loss. Ananya Birla of Birla AI Labs outlined a dual mandate combining applied solutions for industry with foundational research that probes whether AI understands the structure of the world beyond pattern recognition. She urged industry to examine the effect of AI on human cognition and agency while embedding models across operations to unlock productivity gains. Birla highlighted microfinance as a space where AI can be most consequential for people, suggesting that careful deployment could expand financial access for underserved communities. Takahito Tokita, President and CEO of Fujitsu, framed AI within a societal mission focused on sustainability and building trust through innovation, stressing a human-centric approach. He argued that AI must augment creativity, critical thinking and complex judgment rather than replace human autonomy. Together the speakers reinforced a shared theme that the next phase of AI will be judged by its ability to expand opportunity, deepen inclusion and strengthen human potential, positioning India and global industry leaders at the forefront of an AI driven future.

Infrastructure Urban

23 Apr 2026

Centre Examines Duty Relief Under MOOWR For Battery Storage Imports

The finance ministry is examining whether to continue customs warehousing benefits under the Manufacture and Other Operations in Warehouse Regulations, 2019 framework for imported battery energy storage systems. It plans consultations with the ministries of power and new and renewable energy to decide on the future scope of duty and GST deferment for such imports. The review follows concerns from the renewable energy sector that the current approach is creating an uneven playing field. Under the regulations, companies may import goods without paying customs duty or goods and services tax upfro..

Infrastructure Urban

23 Apr 2026

Jamshedpur MP Seeks Rs 4,820 Million Plan For Tatanagar Platforms

Member of Parliament Bidyut Baran Mahato held a meeting with Vikas Jain, Executive Director (Public Grievances) of the Railway Board, following a special session of Parliament to press for accelerated rail infrastructure work around Jamshedpur and Tatanagar. The discussions addressed a range of projects that the ministry is prioritising for the area. Final Location Surveys for the construction of the fourth and fifth railway lines between Pandrasali and Kandra and for the development of a satellite station near Tatanagar have already been approved, clearing the way for detailed planning. Mahat..

Infrastructure Energy

23 Apr 2026

Final Batch Of Two 3,300 HP Locomotives Reach Mozambique

The final batch of two 3,300 horsepower (hp) locomotives manufactured by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) has reached Mozambique, marking completion of an export consignment. The locomotives arrived at Maputo harbour and were cleared for onward movement to the national rail operator. The shipment closes a programme that began with earlier consignments delivered over the past months. Banaras Locomotive Works, a production unit of Indian Railways, built the locomotives under a contract with the Mozambican rail authority and managed the final inspections and commissioning preparations prior to disp..