Ambani & Mittal Join Global AI Commission to Shape Responsible Tech Future

Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries) and Sunil Bharti Mittal (Bharti Enterprises) have been named founding members of the ITU-backed AI for Good Global Commission, joining over 40 world leaders and tech executives to shape responsible, inclusive AI adoption worldwide. The inaugural meeting will take place in Geneva from July 7–10, 2026.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations’ specialized agency for digital technologies (ICTs), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It coordinates global telecom networks, allocates radio spectrum, sets technical standards, and works to expand digital access worldwide. 

Mukesh Ambani & Sunil Mittal Join ITU AI Commission

India’s role in the ITU-backed AI for Good Global Commission is both strategic and symbolic — positioning the country as a key voice in shaping global AI governance. With Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries) and Sunil Bharti Mittal (Bharti Enterprises) as founding members, India’s presence reflects its ambition to influence how AI is deployed responsibly across sectors and geographies.

About the AI for Good Global Commission

• Launched by ITU – International Telecommunication Union, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, and ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
• Founding members – Ambani, Mittal, Lakshmi Mittal (ArcelorMittal), Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Microsoft President Brad Smith, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Google’s James Manyika, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet, Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle.
• Mission – Strengthen trust in AI, expand access, and accelerate AI’s use to solve global challenges.

Key Priorities

• AI Trust – Promote responsible AI to build public confidence.
• AI Access – Expand digital connectivity; with 2.2 billion people still offline, bridging the digital divide is central.
• AI Impact – Accelerate AI deployment for healthcare, education, and sustainability.
• Developing countries’ voice – Ensure equitable participation in shaping AI governance.

Upcoming Events

• Inaugural Meeting – July 7–10, 2026, Geneva, during ITU’s AI for Good Global Summit.
• Digital Week – July 6–10, 2026, includes the first UN-mandated Global Dialogue on AI Governance and WSIS Forum 2026.

Why This Matters for India

• Strategic positioning – Ambani and Mittal’s inclusion highlights India’s growing influence in global AI governance.
• Industry impact – Reliance and Bharti’s participation could accelerate AI adoption in telecom, cloud, and digital services.
• Policy influence – India gains a stronger voice in shaping international AI standards and equitable access frameworks.

Challenges Ahead

• Digital divide – With billions offline, equitable AI adoption remains a pressing issue.
• Governance gaps – Balancing innovation with safety, ethics, and regulation will be complex.
• Global coordination – Aligning governments, tech firms, and multilateral bodies requires sustained collaboration.

ITU is central to initiatives like the AI for Good Global Summit and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). It plays a major role in global digital cooperation, ensuring equitable access and responsible governance of emerging technologies.

The ITU plays a central role in global AI governance by providing a neutral UN platform where governments, industry, academia, and civil society co‑create frameworks to ensure AI is safe, inclusive, and beneficial for all. It convenes dialogues, publishes governance reports, and develops standards to bridge the gap between principles and practical regulation.

India Launches VYOMA Challenge to Drive Multilingual Edge AI Innovation

India has launched the VYOMA Innovation Challenge to accelerate multilingual, voice‑first AI solutions that work offline, aiming to strengthen digital inclusion across diverse languages and regions. The initiative offers prizes worth up to ₹80 lakh and deployment opportunities with government departments.

The challenge has been launched by the Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), under the Digital India Corporation (DIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with Current AI and Kalpa Impact.

The challenge builds on Sunno Sutra, a multilingual, voice-first, open-source handheld AI reference device jointly developed by BHASHINI and Current AI and unveiled at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026. Designed as a reference platform, Sunno Sutra combines multilingual language technologies with on-device AI capabilities, enabling conversational AI experiences across Indian languages without dependence on cloud infrastructure.

Launch of VYOMA Innovation Challenge

• Organizers: Digital India BHASHINI Division (MeitY), in collaboration with Current AI and Kalpa Impact.
• Objective: Promote open‑source, multilingual, voice‑first AI that functions in low‑connectivity or offline environments.
• Foundation: Builds on Sunno Sutra, a handheld multilingual AI device unveiled at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026.

Key Features

• Multilingual AI Infrastructure: Supports 36 Indian text languages, 23 voice languages, and 35 international languages.
• Offline Capability: Delivers conversational AI without cloud dependency, ensuring accessibility in rural and remote areas.
• Public Impact: Functions as digital public infrastructure, enabling inclusive access to services across India’s linguistic diversity.

Participation & Incentives

• Who Can Apply: Startups, MSMEs, researchers, students, academic institutions, and independent innovators.
• Support:
  • 20 shortlisted teams will receive developer kits and mentorship.
  • Finalists will present prototypes to an expert jury.
• Rewards: Winning teams eligible for ₹80 lakh in prizes and deployment opportunities with central and state governments.

Potential Applications

• Education: AI‑driven multilingual learning tools for schools in rural India.
• Healthcare: Voice‑enabled diagnostic and advisory systems in local languages.
• Agriculture: Offline AI assistants for farmers, offering crop and weather guidance.
• Governance: Citizen‑centric services accessible in native languages.

Strategic Impact

Focus Area	Benefit	Global Relevance
Digital Inclusion	Expands access to AI in low‑resource settings	Model for emerging economies
Multilingual AI	Supports 36 Indian + 35 global languages	Strengthens cross‑border collaboration
Offline AI	Works without internet/cloud	Critical for rural connectivity gaps
Open Source	Encourages innovation ecosystem	Aligns with global open‑tech movement

Challenges

• Hardware Optimization: Devices must be smaller, more efficient, and field‑ready.
• Scalability: Ensuring solutions can handle millions of users daily.
• Collaboration: Requires strong partnerships between startups, academia, and government.

Global Positioning

• India’s VYOMA Challenge positions the country as a leader in multilingual, offline AI innovation.
• Provides a blueprint for inclusive digital ecosystems worldwide.
• Reflects India’s ambition to make AI a public‑impact infrastructure, not just a commercial technology.

MSME Ministry Trains 2,500 Artisans in AI Tools Under PM Vishwakarma Scheme

The Ministry of MSME has trained over 2,500 artisans and craftspeople under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, marking the first-of-its-kind initiative across Government of India ministries to integrate grassroots entrepreneurs into the AI ecosystem.

Background of the Initiative

• Scheme: PM Vishwakarma, launched on 17 September 2023, supports artisans in 18 traditional trades with training, tools, credit, and market linkage.
• Objective: Empower artisans by bridging the digital divide and enhancing livelihoods through technology.
• Alignment: Reflects the vision of “AI for Social Good” emphasized at the IndiaAI Impact Summit and reinforced in the Delhi Declaration.

Training Highlights

• Beneficiaries: 2,543 artisans and craftspeople across 20 States and Union Territories.
• Format: Hands-on, practical sessions delivered in simple language and tailored to local contexts.
• AI Tools Introduced: ChatGPT, Indus, and Google Gemini.
• Skills Covered:
  • Branding, product design, packaging, and marketing strategies
  • AI-enabled business efficiency solutions
  • Customer engagement and market expansion
  • AI-generated product descriptions and high-quality visual content

Pan-India Coverage

State/UT	Beneficiaries
Telangana	387
Maharashtra	295
Gujarat	262
Rajasthan	251
Bihar	250
Karnataka	248
Uttar Pradesh	210
Punjab	100
Delhi	82
Odisha	70
Goa	68
Uttarakhand	51
Meghalaya	51
Tripura	50
Jharkhand	43
Daman & Diu	38
Chandigarh	36
Himachal Pradesh	31
Sikkim	20
Total	2,543

Impact and Significance

• Digital Empowerment: Bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.
• Global Competitiveness: Enhances product value and market reach for grassroots entrepreneurs.
• Economic Growth: Promotes sustainable and inclusive growth by enabling artisans to access new customer segments.
• Policy Innovation: First initiative across Government of India ministries to integrate artisans into the AI ecosystem.

Conclusion

This pioneering effort by the Ministry of MSME under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme represents a transformative step in India’s digital journey. By equipping artisans with AI-driven skills, the government is not only preserving India’s rich artisanal heritage but also positioning it for global competitiveness in the digital age.

Arthan’s Forum for 'Using Data and AI for Social Good' Offers Insights on Various Themes Associated With Data and Artificial Intelligence

Arthan, a social enterprise, organized the second forum in the series ‘Using Data and AI for Social Good’. The final forum in the series was held last week and encompassed a wider variety of themes associated with data and artificial intelligence (AI) such as implementing data and AI-based solutions at the NGO level and overcoming challenges. Various industry experts came together to discuss and delve into the impact of data and AI and how it can shape the social sector.

The forum delved deeper to encompass pertinent themes like the definition of “good” data, its collection and management, steps to be taken by organizations to make data more driven, the process and trials of building AI-based solutions, good and responsible practices to using data and AI and much more. A successful roundtable was organized earlier in the month of September which revolved around the uses of AI and challenges associated with its implementation.

Prof. Jasjit Singh

Some experts who were a part of the forum included Prof. Jasjit Singh, Professor of Strategy (INSEAD), Gaurav Sharma, Lead Advisor-AI (GIZ India), Dolly Agarwal, Technology Consultant (Pratham Education Foundation), and Subhashish Bhadra, Principal (Omidyar Network India). The discussion threw light on some crucial themes which included pioneering and low-cost practices that could be scaled to use AI and optimize the work at the ground level.

Akanksha Sharma, Global ESG Head (Sterlite Technologies Limited)

Speaking in the session about data and AI implementation, Akanksha Sharma, Global ESG Head (Sterlite Technologies Limited), said, “Not many organizations, especially those at the grassroots level, are equipped enough or market-ready for these solutions to be implemented and this creates a digital divide.” The forum also highlighted the scalability perspective, the significance of the quality of data, and how to make data an enabler in assisting in solution-building processes. The private sector can play a big role in addressing this gap and facilitating digital inclusion.

Raghu Dharmaraju, President (ARTPARK) who has spent a lifetime in building innovative and impact-driven solutions, moderated the session. He asked some key questions around responsible practices to be undertaken for AI implementation, use-cases, and problems that could be solved using AI, understanding the definition of “good data”, challenges to bring data together, and to understand the concept of data as a public good.

The session then moved on to the multiple factors that need to be taken care of like the digital divide and other such considerations while building AI-based solutions. It highlighted how there is a need to have programmes in regional Indian languages but most of the models are built-in foreign languages as well as challenges that need to be dealt with from an impact assessment lens. The discussion then took a deep dive into the reality of AI and the sort of use cases that are a good fit to solve the issue of the appropriate application of AI.

The speakers also talked about ethical and responsible uses of data and AI and that there are a lot of moral questions around using data. For instance, were people aware of the collection of data in cases of personal data sets, do they have access to verify/rectify data or take back the data they provided?

In this respect, good governance and a grievance redressal system become crucial through which people can voice their grievances. AI and data protection and use cases in India are really important. It is imperative to open source the data and this can enable researchers to build solutions that can be helpful.

There is a need for ‘hand-holding’ between technologists, domain experts, and linguists to work on certain structures and we need SOPs in place, an AI development life-cycle to work towards a particular solution so as to minimize the bias and improve transparency.

Arthan is an organization dedicated to strengthening the social sector in India through capacity

building and consulting support in the areas of human capital, strategy, fundraising, and partnerships to name a few. Arthan believes in strengthening the social impact ecosystem by creating opportunities for building thought leadership through Arthan Social Forum, by bringing together diverse stakeholders, experts, and practitioners to build dialogue, accelerate solutions and inspire systemic collective action to address the myriad development challenges we face.

Experts from MIT, Google India, IBM India/South Asia to Participate on Day-3 of RAISE 2020 - Responsible AI for Social Empowerment

The RAISE-2020 Summit, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, will witness experts like Professor Daniela Rus, Director of Computer Science and AI lab at MIT, USA, Dr. Milind Tambe, Director, AI for Social Good at Google Research India, Mr. Sandip Patel, MD, IBM India and South Asia, Dr. Jonathan Stuart Russel, Computer Scientist, UC Berkeley, and Ms. Arunima Sarkar, Lead, AI, World Economic Forum, among others, participating on October 7, the third day of the Summit. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog are organizing a Global Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI), RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020,’ from October 5-9, 2020.

Professor Rus will talk about the vision of Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, which India joined as a founder member in June 2020, along with the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Korea and Singapore. She will be joined in this session by Dr. Russel and Ms. Sarkar, along with Mr. Umakant Soni, Co-founder, AI Foundry.

Dr. Rohini Srivathsa, National Technology Officer, Microsoft, will address a session on building skills for an AI-ready workforce, where she will be joined by Ms. Laura Longcore, VP, Worldwide Learning Field and Ms. Kirti Seth, Lead, Future Skills, NASSCOM.

Dr. Milind Tambe will address a session on the need for research into building responsible AI.Mr. Sandip Patel will headline a session on the challenges and opportunities of harnessing AI for Growth, where he will be joined by Mr. Ranjan Sharma, CIO, Supply Chain and E-Commerce, Bestseller India, Mr. Tarun Aggarwal, AVP, Maruti Suzuki India, Mr. Arvind Sivaramakrishnan, CIO, Apollo Hospitals, Mr. Anup Mahapatra, Deputy MD, State Bank of India, Ms. Lula Mohanty, GM, IBM Global Business Services, and Ms. Shalini Warrier, ED, COO, and Business Head - Retail, Federal Bank.

The day will also witness a fireside chat between R.S. Sharma, Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and R. Chandrashekhar, Chairperson, Centre for The Digital Future, on the need of keeping humans at the center while devising AI solutions.

There will be a special session titled AI Research – Lab to Market, which will be addressed by Professor Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. The session will also be attended by Dr. Sriram Rajamani, MD, Microsoft Research India, and Professor Narendra Ahuja, Research Professor, UIUC, USA.

Dr. Sunil Wadhwani, Founder-Donor, WISH Foundation and Wadhwani AI, will address a session on new age of connected healthcare and the importance of delivering last mile access to healthcare.

He will be joined by Dr. Amandeep Gill, CEO and Project Director, International Digital Health & AI Research Collaborative (I-DAIR), Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, National Health Authority and Dr. Sanjay Padhi, Head of AWS Research.

Ms. Arati Deo, MD, Accenture Rechnology Centre in India, and Dr. Rushi Bhatt, Head of AI at LinkedIn will participate in a session on Explainable AI, post which, Professor Kaushik Roy from Purdue University will hold a talk on brain inspired AI.

So far, more than 35,034 stakeholders from academia, research industry and government representatives from 123 countries have registered to participate in RAISE 2020.

From agriculture to fin-tech and healthcare to infrastructure, India is at the cusp of rapid development in artificial intelligence. India can become the AI laboratory of the world and contribute to inclusive development and growth through empowerment. The RAISE 2020 Summit (http://raise2020.indiaai.gov.in/) will serve as a platform for discussion and consensus building to help create a data-rich environment, which will help to eventually transform lives globally.

About RAISE 2020:

RAISE 2020 is a first of its kind, global meeting of minds on Artificial Intelligence to drive India's vision and roadmap for social transformation, inclusion and empowerment through responsible AI. Organized by Government of India along with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and NITI Aayog,the event will witness robust participation from global industry leaders, key opinion makers, Government representatives and academia.

Website:http://raise2020.indiaai.gov.in/