Artificial Intelligence in India: Experts at ET Soonicorns 2024 summit will delve into the country’s AI landscape

The third edition of the Economic Times (ET) Soonicorns Summit 2024, scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on September 20, 2024, will feature an interesting track on artificial intelligence (AI) titled ‘India’s AI Edge’, featuring a TED talk and panel discussion.

India’s only summit dedicated to celebrating soonicorns (startups on the cusp of reaching unicorn status) will host unicorn leaders, who will share their secret formulas, while soonicorn founders will reveal their journeys to this tipping point, in a melting pot of ideas, information and insights.

If you are part of India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem, the ET Soonicorns Summit in Bengaluru could be your gateway to fresh and forward-thinking perspectives, especially as it delves deeper into AI, one of the most disruptive and transformative technologies of our time.

ET Soonicorns Summit 2024: Why AI is important for startups

At the ET Soonicorns Summit 2024, with the overarching theme “From Resilience to Resurgence”, a select AI theme, “India’s AI Edge”, will be highlighted. As AI continues to revolutionise industries globally, Indian startups must be prepared for both its immense potential and the inherent risks.

The AI ​​theme at this summit will include a powerful TED talk by Sangeeta Bavi, Executive Director, Digital Natives at Microsoft India, and a panel discussion with a stellar line-up of speakers:

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• Siddharth Bhardwaj, Co-Founder and CTO of Beatoven.ai;
• Disha Ravi, climate justice activist and founder of Fridays for Future India;
• Umakant Soni, President of AI Foundry and Co-Founder of ARTPARK;
• Sachin Malhan, co-founder of Agami;
• Rohan Verma, CEO & MD, MapmyIndia.

These curated sessions are designed to equip the Indian startup ecosystem with the tools, insights, and strategies needed to leverage AI for exponential growth.
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Why Startups Should Care About AI

For startups, AI represents an unprecedented opportunity for growth. Whether it’s automating processes, improving customer experience, or creating entirely new products, AI can help startups scale faster and more efficiently. However, understanding how to navigate the ethical, legal, and regulatory landscape is equally important.

That’s why the India AI Edge event at ET Soonicorns Summit 2024 is a must-attend event for everyone in the startup ecosystem. It offers a comprehensive look at the transformative potential of AI while also providing practical insights on how to use AI responsibly and effectively.

Here’s a look at the sessions:

• TED Talk: Empowering India’s AI and Deep Tech Landscape. Speaker: Sangeeta Bavi, Executive Director, Digital Natives at Microsoft India.
  

In his TED Talk titled ‘Empowering India’s Deep Tech & AI Landscape: Policies, Perspectives, and India-First Models for GenAI Growth’, Bavi will explore India’s unique position in the AI ​​ecosystem. Drawing on his experience at Microsoft, he will shed light on how India can leverage the transformative potential of AI to create large-scale socio-economic impact.

Bavi’s extensive experience with Microsoft’s AI strategy and digital transformation initiatives positions her as a thought leader in this space. Her insights into India’s approach to AI innovation (and its ambitious adoption of generative AI) will provide attendees with a clear roadmap on India’s AI advancements from a policy perspective, insight, and development of indigenous generative AI models.

• Roundtable: Countering Deepfakes and Inauthentic Content: The Ethical Imperative of AI
  

This panel discussion will explore one of the most pressing challenges facing the AI ​​landscape today: deepfakes and inauthentic content. As AI becomes more ubiquitous, the ethical implications of its use (particularly in media, security, and social governance) become more complex.

With panelists bringing a wealth of experience in AI technology, innovation and policy, the discussion will focus on India’s AI policy and its role in shaping global AI regulations:

• Siddhartha BhardwajMachine learning (ML) and audio technology expert Bhardwaj has taken things a step further with Beatoven.ai, which applies AI to create personalized music. Armed with his technical expertise, Bhardwaj will shed light on how AI-powered content can be both beneficial and detrimental;

• Disha Raviclimate justice activist who was instrumental in setting up the Indian chapter of Fridays for Future, the global climate justice movement founded by Greta Thunberg, an 18-year-old Swedish climate activist. Ravi, who is also a crusader against fake news, will bring in-depth perspectives on the damaging phenomenon of disinformation and misinformation;

• Soni UmakantChairman of AI Foundry and Co-Founder of ARTPARK, Soni has played a key role in building India’s AI ecosystem. With his mission to create AI solutions for billions of people, Soni brings a long-term perspective on the role of AI in addressing societal challenges, while navigating regulatory frameworks;

• Sachin MalhanCo-founder of Agami, he will focus on legal innovation and judicial reform. His expertise will guide discussions on the legal and regulatory challenges faced by startups in a fast-paced AI world, offering solutions to promote responsible use of AI;

• Rohan VermaCEO & MD of MapmyIndia, brings over 14 years of experience driving corporate strategy, growth and innovation at various stages of MapmyIndia’s evolution. He has been instrumental in applying cutting-edge mapping and location technologies to benefit individuals, businesses and governments. His deep experience in product and technology innovation makes him well-positioned to discuss the ethical AI imperative through the lens of responsible and sustainable innovation, India’s AI policy and regulatory landscape.

Together, these experts will offer a rich exploration of how startups can responsibly deploy AI to counter biases while ensuring compliance with India’s AI policies.

AI in India: Transformative potential and risks

India’s AI ecosystem is unique in its strategy to balance innovation with regulation. Over the past decade, the Indian government has been actively promoting AI-powered solutions for sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and finance. With applications spanning from disease detection to financial inclusion, India’s AI strategy holds great promise for transforming key industries.

However, as with any disruptive technology, AI poses risks. Deepfakes, biased algorithms, and unauthorized use of data are challenges that require urgent attention. India’s AI strategy must address these issues head-on, not just for ethical reasons, but to ensure the long-term sustainability of its AI ecosystem. Through initiatives such as the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and a focus on GenAI, India is taking significant steps to create a regulatory framework that fosters innovation while protecting the public interest.
The ET Soonicorns Summit 2024, with its dedicated AI section, could be instrumental in gaining a deep understanding of how AI can boost your startup. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from AI visionaries and connect with India’s most promising startups.

Register now and stay ahead of the curve. Be part of the conversation that is shaping the future of AI in India.

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