At the Business Today-India Today AI Conference 2024, Sandip Patel, the Managing Director of IBM India and South Asia, presented a compelling vision of the future of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing its role as a sutradhaar—a storyteller—that can weave together solutions to bridge existing gaps in society. Patel passionately spoke about the transformative potential of AI, describing it as the harbinger of a "naya daur" (new era) of technological innovation that could revolutionize various sectors and drive significant societal change.
Patel highlighted how AI is playing a pivotal role in democratizing technology, making it more accessible to people from diverse backgrounds across India, including in rural areas. He shared a notable example from IBM's CSR initiatives, where the company developed an AI-powered irrigation tool specifically designed for farmers. This tool offers tailored recommendations, helping farmers optimize their water usage based on real-time data, thus addressing one of the most critical challenges in agriculture. “These are the kinds of innovations where AI can help the common man,” Patel emphasized, demonstrating how AI can solve real-world problems, improve livelihoods, and drive sustainable development in rural regions.
One of the most significant aspects of Patel’s address was his belief in India’s potential to become the global leader in AI innovation. He firmly stated, “I believe India can become the AI capital of the world.” Drawing from IBM’s global AI adoption survey, which found that 59% of companies in India are already using AI—the highest rate globally—Patel expressed confidence in the country's ability to lead the AI revolution. He pointed out that another 27% of Indian companies are planning to adopt AI in the near future, showcasing the rapid and widespread integration of AI across industries in India.
Patel’s remarks also focused on the importance of expanding the AI development workforce beyond just traditional engineers. He stressed that AI is a field that welcomes diverse talent, noting that one does not need to be an engineer to work with AI. With the right aptitude and training, individuals from various fields could contribute meaningfully to AI development. This inclusive approach, he argued, is crucial for tapping into the full potential of AI and ensuring that the technology is developed in a way that benefits all sections of society.
He further emphasized the need for India to focus on developing smaller, localized AI models tailored to the specific needs of the country. While large language models are often resource-intensive, smaller models can be more cost-effective and better suited to local requirements, particularly for addressing regional challenges and ensuring that AI solutions are inclusive and accessible to all. Patel’s emphasis on localizing AI development highlighted a critical shift in the way AI can be used—moving from globalized solutions to more contextualized, region-specific ones that are better aligned with the diverse socio-economic fabric of India.
Patel’s vision for India as a leader in AI is supported by his vast experience in the technology and business sectors. As the Managing Director of IBM India and South Asia, Patel oversees a vast and complex region, managing the company’s sales, marketing, services, and delivery operations across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Since taking on this role in 2020, he has been instrumental in strengthening IBM’s leadership in the areas of hybrid cloud, AI, and consulting within the region. Under his leadership, IBM has played a key role in shaping the technology landscape in South Asia, working with governments, enterprises, and communities to unlock the transformative potential of AI.
Before his current role, Patel was the General Manager for IBM’s Insurance industry vertical, where he led operations across various global markets, including North America and Europe. His deep understanding of the financial services, insurance, and healthcare sectors has made him an influential figure in these industries. His leadership experience extends to his time as President of Aetna International, where he had full profit-and-loss responsibility and drove the company’s international business strategy. This extensive background in both the business and technological aspects of AI enables Patel to offer a unique perspective on the potential for AI to transform industries and improve lives on a global scale.
In his speech, Patel encapsulated his vision for the future of AI in India—one where the country emerges not just as a consumer of AI technologies, but also as a creator and innovator in the field. By fostering local talent, prioritizing AI solutions that are tailored to the needs of Indian society, and promoting widespread adoption across sectors, Patel believes India is well-positioned to lead the world in AI innovation. His message resonated with a sense of urgency, encouraging stakeholders from all sectors to come together and harness the power of AI for the greater good of society.
Patel’s call to action for India to embrace AI is more than just an optimistic prediction—it is a roadmap for a future where technology is a force for positive change, empowering individuals, improving lives, and shaping the economy. He concluded his remarks by expressing his firm belief in India’s ability to lead the charge in AI and technology innovation, offering a hopeful vision of a world where AI has the power to uplift communities, transform industries, and make the world a more equitable place for all.
