Unlocking rural economy will make India a global leader: NITI Aayog

‘Futuristic technologies like 5G, AI and Robotics will help realise the country’s dream of becoming a world leader at a much faster pace,’ he says

India has the potential to become a world leader by unlocking the full potential of its rural economy, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar has said .

“Futuristic technologies like 5G, AI and Robotics will help realise the country’s dream of becoming a world leader at a much faster pace,’‘ he said while virtually speaking at ARTPARK Innovation Summit 2022 organised by AI & Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK), a city-based not-for-profit foundation, promoted by IISc and supported by AI Foundry on Monday.

“We are already working with ARTPARK under our NITI Atal Innovation Mission and supporting innovative startups which are solving the critical problem of bringing connectivity to rural areas and enabling inclusive healthcare and education,’‘ Mr. Kumar added.

Earlier inaugurating the one-day summit, C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Karnataka Minister for Information Technology, Biotechnology, Science and Technology and Higher Education, said the ARTPARK initiative would help the country’s youth outside urban India not only to access the next generation digital opportunities but also acquire the skills they needed to thrive in an AI-driven future.

“How do we take the fruits of AI & Robotics technology to Bharat to create the next wave of jobs after the IT & BPO wave is a critical question,’‘ said the Minister.

S. Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said, “Digital and physical connectivity innovations are critical to India’s growth and Atmanirbhar vision. By bringing together industry, academia, and government in an open innovation network, NM-ICPS mission by the Department of Science and Technology is attempting a novel way to fast track innovations critical and strategic to the future prosperity of India.”

Prof. Rangarajan, Director, IISc, Chair BOD ARTPARK, said, ARTPARK was created to use technology, specifically AI & Robotics, for the betterment of the country.