Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to contribute $550 billion to five key sectors in India by 2035, according to a PwC India report unveiled at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos. The sectors include agriculture, education, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing. The report highlights AI’s role in boosting crop productivity, improving school governance, reducing power theft, accelerating disease detection, and enhancing manufacturing quality.
Real-world applications of AI have already shown significant promise. For instance, AI-enabled crop advisories have led to double-digit efficiency gains, while smart metering has identified accurate theft cases. AI-driven TB detection has also notably improved notification rates. The report emphasizes that scaling such AI applications, even at modest levels, could result in substantial annual savings.
The report underscores that AI is not just a technological advancement but a force for nation-building. It emphasizes the importance of investing in infrastructure, talent, and governance to ensure innovation and equitable development go hand in hand. Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson of PwC in India, highlighted the potential for AI to drive growth through a people-centric approach, aiming to shape a leading global example of inclusive development.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking at the report launch, emphasized the transformative impact of AI across various sectors. He mentioned the state’s efforts in leveraging AI for governance and digital infrastructure, including an AI-based application for farmers in Marathi. Fadnavis also highlighted the state’s focus on innovation and ease of doing business, noting recent steps towards decriminalization.
PwC’s report also introduced the AI Edge framework, outlining five key outcomes expected from widespread AI deployment in India: operational excellence, sustainability, good governance, resilience, and financial discipline. These outcomes aim to broaden the global AI conversation beyond efficiency to include transparency, environmental responsibility, system reliability, and inclusive value creation.
Entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath commented on India’s evolving business and policy landscape, noting improvements in the country’s policy stability. He highlighted India’s efforts to enhance its business environment and overall performance.
