New Delhi, February 16 Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran said that the adoption of AI cannot simply happen organically and requires a clear commitment to aligning technological adoption with mass employability.
In a virtual address to the AI Impact Summit 2026, Nageswaran said that countries need to move decisively by strengthening foundational education, developing high-quality skills, expanding labor-intensive service sectors, and removing regulatory bottlenecks.
Adopting AI requires a collaborative approach, he said, adding that it must be a "Team India" effort, involving the private sector, academics, and policymakers.
"The window of opportunity is still open, but it is not indefinite. We must act, and we must act now," he said, adding that there is a need for urgency in adopting AI.
"For India, it is not about the future of work; it is about the future of growth and social stability," Nageswaran said.
"With foresight, institutional discipline, and relentless execution, India can become the first large society to demonstrate true human prosperity," Nageswaran said.
He said that while millions of jobs are created annually, a significant skills gap persists, and only a small proportion of the workforce has received formal skills training. "This gap is not just a matter of statistics; it is a structural vulnerability," Nageswaran said.
To address this vulnerability, he suggested a decisive shift in policy focus.
"This will not happen organically. It will require urgency, it will require political will, it will require state capacity, and a commitment to adopting technology with a focus on mass employability," Nageswaran added.