IndiaAI Mission, IIT Hyderabad host working group meeting on inclusive AI for social empowerment

The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad on Tuesday hosted the working group meeting on inclusion for social empowerment at the IITH campus, Kandi, Sangareddy.

A precursor to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, the meeting is part of a nationwide series of consultations aimed at shaping the summit’s thematic agenda and outcomes.

Chief Secretary, Maharashtra government, Rajesh Aggarwal, also the India chair of the working group, in his plenary address underlined India’s structured approach to AI across seven verticals, including social empowerment. He called for adding an AI layer to India’s digital public infrastructure while ensuring bias-free and equitable outcomes.

According to Ambassador and Director, federal office for communications, Switzerland, Thomas Schneider, AI should be used in a sustainable way, for progress, including economic and social development. It should be for everyone, and in a way that respects people’s dignity and fundamental rights. To be so, a powerful force for good, AI must be responsibly designed and deployed, he said.

Director (IITH) BS Murty said if India truly aspires to lead in AI, bold steps must be taken. AI must also be interdisciplinary combining engineering, materials science, liberal arts, and beyond, and with focus on improving lives.

Several speakers emphasised the need to embed inclusion, trust and societal context at the core of India’s AI development. The programme also featured panel discussions on inclusive AI development and societal adoption, start-up pitch sessions, and student perspectives.

Addl. Director (MeitY) Nalin Kumar Srivastava, Jt. Director (e-Governance, Telangana) Ch. Bharath Reddy, senior policymakers, academic leaders, industry experts, startups, researchers and others were present.