- Young India Urged to Lead, Not Consume, the AI Revolution
- New AI Centre in Baramati Positioned as Academia–Industry Bridge
- Sovereign Artificial Intelligence Linked to Economic Freedom
- Indigenous Models, Data Control and Compute Capacity Stressed
- Students Asked to Create Boldly in the Age of Intelligence
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
BARAMATI, DEC 28
In a decisive message to India’s next generation, Gautam Adani called upon youth to step forward as creators and leaders of artificial intelligence, urging them to build indigenous capabilities aligned with national priorities. He was speaking at the inauguration of Vidya Pratishthan’s Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Baramati, Maharashtra.
Addressing students, researchers and educators, Adani said India stands at a defining moment where technology, talent and national purpose must move together. He emphasised that artificial intelligence should not be approached as a tool to be consumed, but as a capability to be built by young Indians with confidence, clarity and responsibility.
Youth at the Centre of India’s AI Moment
Highlighting the central role of young minds, Adani said the age of intelligence offers unprecedented opportunity for India’s youth across social and economic backgrounds. AI, he noted, has the power to place productivity and problem-solving directly in the hands of ordinary citizens, expanding participation in national growth.
Drawing from historical experience, he said every major technological transition—from industrial revolutions to India’s digital leap—has ultimately expanded human potential, and AI will be no different if guided with purpose.
Why Sovereign AI Matters for India
Adani underlined that leadership in artificial intelligence cannot be outsourced. In a world where algorithms shape economies, governance and global influence, dependence on foreign intelligence systems poses strategic risk.
He stressed that data ownership, decision-making frameworks and core AI capability must remain anchored in national interest. Indigenous AI models, strong compute infrastructure and resilient digital ecosystems, he said, are essential for India’s economic security, cultural confidence and strategic autonomy.
Adani Group’s Role in AI Infrastructure
Placing the initiative in a broader context, Adani pointed to the group’s expanding presence in the global AI ecosystem through investments in data centres, digital infrastructure and clean energy that enable large-scale computing.
These efforts, he said, are drawing sustained engagement from global technology leaders such as Google and Microsoft, as India positions itself as a credible hub for AI-led growth and innovation.
Centre of Excellence as a National Knowledge Bridge
The Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence has been established under Vidya Pratishthan, a Baramati-based educational trust, supported by a ₹25-crore contribution made in 2023.
The centre aims to promote:
- Advanced AI research
- Skill development and industry-aligned training
- Practical AI applications in agriculture, healthcare, governance and industry
A strong emphasis has been placed on collaboration between academia, industry and national priorities, positioning the centre as a catalyst for real-world impact rather than purely theoretical study.
A Call to Create, Not Observe
Concluding his address, Adani urged students to treat the institution as a space for creation and courage, not passive learning. The age of intelligence, he said, demands samarthya—the ability to think independently and act boldly.
“This moment belongs to you,” he told young India. “Not to watch history, but to write it.”
