Delhi CM Urges Grads: Make India an AI Creator, Not Just a Consumer!
Delhi CM Urges Grads: Make India an AI Creator, Not Just a Consumer!
Delhi CM challenges engineering graduates to transform India into an AI innovation hub. Discover how India aims to lead in AI creation, leveraging youth talent and strategic investments. A call to action for a tech-drive
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta delivered a powerful message to young engineering graduates at the 41st annual convocation of VIT in Vellore on Saturday, urging them to steer India towards becoming a global hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) creation, rather than merely a large consumer market. This vision, she emphasized, is central to the "India AI Mission," which has already seen significant investments from the Centre in critical sectors like semiconductors, computing infrastructure, defense, space, drones, robotics, and biotechnology.
The Chief Minister highlighted the immense potential for graduates to utilize their classroom knowledge for the wider public good. She cited examples of how the Delhi government has successfully partnered with IIT Delhi to tackle pressing urban challenges such as pollution, traffic congestion, and waste management. The goal is a transformative shift: moving beyond simply consuming AI technology to actively producing it, a contribution she believes will be among the greatest engineering graduates can offer their state and country.
This call for innovation comes at a time when India is rapidly cementing its position in the global AI landscape. Recent reports indicate a significant surge in AI investments and adoption across Indian businesses, with a striking 93% trusting AI with their data and 87% actively eyeing new markets. Furthermore, AI-related job opportunities have seen a remarkable 51% increase in India, signaling a burgeoning sector ripe for talent. However, experts also caution that approximately 75% of current job skills could undergo changes by 2030 due to the rapid spread of AI, underscoring the urgency for adaptability and continuous learning.
Beyond technical prowess, Ms. Gupta stressed the importance of developing empathy towards fellow citizens. She urged graduates not to limit themselves to sharpening technical skills but also to cultivate strong character, understanding the reasons for failures and working proactively to address them. "India's vision of 'make, invest, design and brand in India' can only be taken forward by young engineering minds," she asserted, underscoring the critical role of the youth in national development.
During the event, G. Viswanathan, founder and chancellor of VIT, also pointed out that India's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education currently stands at around 30 percent. This figure lags behind other Asian nations like South Korea (90%), Japan and China (60%), Thailand (45%), and Malaysia (40%). He noted that the New Education Policy 2020 aims to boost this GER to 50% in the coming years, further emphasizing the need for robust educational foundations to support India's ambitious technological aspirations.
