Kishan Reddy urges IT industry to focus on innovation

Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy has urged IT industry to take bold risks and pursue ambitious innovation on the back of an enabling environment the government has created for the transformation of India from a services hub to a product innovation and AI leader.

“Our national goal must be to move from coding for others to creating platforms for the world. The government has created the enabling environment…” he told the 33rd edition of the annual summit and awards of Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA) here on Thursday.

Noting that the coming decade will be defined by Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, Mr. Reddy said that India has the talent pool required to lead in AI globally. Hyderabad, with its strong IT ecosystem, has the potential to become one of the AI capitals of Asia.

The next wave of technology innovation will include areas such as quantum computing, cybersecurity, blockchain governance, semiconductor design and green data centres. If the 1990s belonged to software services, and the 2000s belonged to outsourcing, then the 2020s will belong to product innovation and AI leadership, he said, while underscoring the need need for AI to be developed in a manner that is ethical, secure, inclusive and aligned with the needs of Bharat.

Mr. Reddy urged HYSEA members to continue investing in research and development, mentoring startups, encouraging greater participation of women in technology leadership and expanding innovation into tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

The HYSEA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Srini Raju, iLABS Group Chairman. The association’s industry awards recognising excellence in growth, exports and innovation were also presented.

President of HYSEA Prashanth Nandella said Hyderabad’s technology journey has been defined by its ability to adapt and lead through successive waves of change.