Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said India is uniquely positioned to lead in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), citing its young population, affordable data, technological capabilities and commitment to inclusive growth as key strengths.
Speaking at VivaTech 2026, Goyal said India possesses several inherent advantages that place it at the forefront of the global technology revolution and enable it to help bridge the global technological divide.
“India is a compelling case for the world. Our young and talented population, affordable data, growing capabilities and a vision for shared growth position India at the forefront of technological development,” Goyal said.
The minister asserted that India has consistently demonstrated its ability to adopt technology quickly and efficiently and views AI as an enabler of growth rather than a threat.
He emphasised that while AI can significantly enhance productivity and innovation, it cannot replace human intelligence, values, culture and traditions.
Highlighting India’s demographic advantage, Goyal noted that the country’s average age is below 30 years, making it one of the youngest major economies in the world.
“We have a youthful population. That’s important. Our average age is under 30 years. We are the world’s fastest-growing large economy, generating significant economic activity that spurs innovation. We have 1.4 billion people generating demand, which gives us economies of scale,” he said.
Goyal also underscored India’s strengths in digital infrastructure and talent availability, stating that the country offers data at a fraction of the cost seen in many other nations and has the capacity to support growing data centre and computing requirements.
“We have data at a fraction of the cost it costs in other countries. We have abundant power to meet the needs of data centres, computing capacity and all of that. And we produce the world’s largest number of STEM graduates — professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the impact of AI on employment, Goyal said technological advancements are expected to create new opportunities and career pathways rather than diminish the relevance of human talent.
(With IANS inputs)
