Human capability not fixed or finite: Microsoft's Brad Smith at India AI Summit

At the India AI Summit, Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith addressed fears about AI's impact on families and jobs. He said human capability is "neither fixed nor finite" and urged governments and companies to use AI responsibly to create broader social good and a brighter future.

At the India AI Summit, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith did not begin with statistics or product announcements. Instead, he asked a question many parents are quietly thinking: “What will AI mean for my kids? What will AI mean for my family? What will AI mean for our future?”

Acknowledging both excitement and anxiety around artificial intelligence, Smith said, “I get it that some people are excited and they’ll do well, but what about us -- meaning most of the people who live on this planet?”

His answer was both a challenge and a call to action. “I think we have something to prove,” he said. “We have something to prove not only to communities and countries and our customers, but to ourselves that we can not only embrace but pursue a brighter future for people.”

The remarks come at a time when AI adoption is accelerating globally. Industry estimates suggest AI could contribute trillions of dollars to the global economy over the next decade, while transforming sectors from healthcare and agriculture to education and governance.

India, with its expanding digital public infrastructure and one of the world’s largest developer bases, is positioned to play a central role in that transformation.

But Smith urged the audience to think beyond hype. “It’s great to come to conferences like this and hear people talk about all of the advances in technology,” he said, before adding a crucial reminder: “Human capability is neither fixed nor finite.”