India is poised to be a major player in the global artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, according to Microsoft India and South Asia President Puneet Chandok. Speaking at the inaugural AI Tour in Mumbai, he emphasized India’s potential just ahead of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's annual visit to the country.

What Happened? Chandok identified three key factors contributing to India’s AI prowess. First, the burgeoning startup ecosystem in India, with about 100 new startups emerging daily, represents a significant demand for AI and technology solutions.

Second, India’s expertise in AI, where every sixth AI researcher and developer hails from the country, bolsters the supply side. Lastly, he noted the substantial impact AI is likely to have on global GDP, with an estimated 16% increase driven by AI advancements.

Nadella will focus on these AI opportunities during his visit on February 7 and 8. Reportedly, he will meet with leading AI startups like Sarvam and Bhavish Aggarwal’s Krutrim in Bengaluru, along with other early-stage AI ventures.

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Chandok's internal communication at Microsoft India and South Asia underscored the significance of Nadella's visit, reaffirming Microsoft’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance opportunities in India. He described AI’s role as transformative in shaping ‘India's Techade'.

Echoing these sentiments, Microsoft Asia President Ahmed Mazhari, in an interview with Moneycontrol at the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlighted the opportunity for Indian tech companies. He sees them as ‘enablement engines' not just domestically but globally, citing examples like Infosys, Cognizant, Wipro, TCS, and Tech Mahindra. Mazhari assured Microsoft’s support in training, skilling, and providing intellectual property to these companies to implement AI worldwide.

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