CII AI Awards 2025
Objectives
While AI led technologies have penetrated almost every sector of the Indian Industry, the adoption and acceptance of AI led technologies are limited to some of the industries and businesses.Furthermore, while AI can generate new employment opportunities where humans and AI can work together to make human lives more comfortable with appropriate skill development, there are concerns that AI can replace human and can cause job losses especially in the MSME.
It is imperative to establish an AI ecosystem in India by
- Encouraging adoption of AI in a responsible manner by Indian Industry and building public trust in the use of AI technology.
- Creating awareness about the benefits of AI led technologies by capturing and disseminating the best practices, innovations of the companies & start-ups and it’s benefits so that it can be followed by others.
- Recognizing and rewarding user industry, technology or solution providers, innovators and entrepreneurs leading the AI Revolution in India to motivate others to innovate or implement
CII AI Awards Categories
1. AI Excellence : Best Industry Application
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recognizes excellence in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) through its prestigious AI Awards to promote innovation, best practices, and the strategic implementation of AI technologies across various sectors. These awards serve to acknowledge organizations which are harnessing AI to drive transformative changes, enhance operational efficiencies, and deliver exceptional value to customers. CII AI Awards play a crucial role in positioning India as a global leader in AI innovation, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth and technological prowess.
Beyond recognizing companies, they emphasize the importance of aligning innovation with ethical responsibility, ensuring that technological advancements benefit society. Through this recognition, AI awards inspire progress while reinforcing the need for responsible and impactful development in the field.
2. Best AI solution Showcase/Technology
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recognizes excellence in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) through its prestigious AI Awards to promote innovation, best practices, and the strategic implementation of AI technologies across various sectors. These awards serve to acknowledge organizations which are harnessing AI to drive transformative changes, enhance operational efficiencies, and deliver exceptional value to customers. CII AI Awards play a crucial role in positioning India as a global leader in AI innovation, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth and technological prowess.
Beyond recognizing companies, they emphasize the importance of aligning innovation with ethical responsibility, ensuring that technological advancements benefit society. Through this recognition, AI awards inspire progress while reinforcing the need for responsible and impactful development in the field.
3. Excellence in Best Use AI Technology / Products / Solutions by Industry-Academia Collaboration
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recognizes excellence in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) through its prestigious AI Awards to promote innovation, best practices, and the strategic implementation of AI technologies across various sectors. These awards serve to acknowledge organizations which are harnessing AI to drive transformative changes, enhance operational efficiencies, and deliver exceptional value to customers. CII AI Awards play a crucial role in positioning India as a global leader in AI innovation, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth and technological prowess.
Beyond recognizing companies, they emphasize the importance of aligning innovation with ethical responsibility, ensuring that technological advancements benefit society. Through this recognition, AI awards inspire progress while reinforcing the need for responsible and impactful development in the field.
Who Can Apply
- Industry / business should implement or adopt AI- led technology / solutions / product in the year 2022 or 2023 or 2024 (it does not matter how many years prior to its realization it was in the implemented or adopted.)
- All the companies / firms registered in India - Industry, MSMEs and Start-ups across sector in the following categories
- AI - led Technology / solutions / product should be commercializedin the year 2022 or 2023 or 2024 (it does not matter how many years prior to its realization it was in the making.)
1. All the Companies / firms registered in India in the following categories:
| Industries / Enterprises | Investment | Turnover |
|---|---|---|
| Micro Enterprises | Up to 2.5 Cr. | Less than 10 Cr. |
| Small Enterprises | Up to 25 Cr. | Less than 100 Cr. |
| Medium Enterprises | Up to 125 Cr. | Less than 500 cr. |
| Large Enterprises | Above 125 Cr. | Above 500 cr. |
Note:
*Enterprises engaged in the manufacture or production, processing or preservation of goods. Investment in plant and machinery is the original cost excluding land and building and the items specified by the Ministry of Small-Scale Industries vide its notification No.S.O.1722(E) dated October 5, 2006.
**Enterprises engaged in providing or rendering of services and whose investment in equipment (original cost excluding land and building, and furniture, fittings and other items not directly related to the service rendered or as may be notified under the MSMED Act, 2006)
2. Start-ups incorporated or registered in India with following criteria :
- If it works towards innovation, development or improvement of products or processes or services, or if it's a scalable business model with a high potential of employment generation or wealth creation
- Start-ups which are offering innovative solutions for sustainable waste management.
- Up to a period of ten years from the date of incorporation / registration.
- Annual turnover not exceeding Rs 25 crore in any preceding financial year, and
Benefits to Winners and Recipient of Appreciation
Evaluation Process
Jury Members
The Jury members comprise senior officials from government and heads of academic and other institutions who can contribute to the evaluation process. Participation of each jury member is voluntary and is drawn from a wide range of organizations, from both the institutes, private and government sectors.
Terms and Conditions
- The participation fees once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.
- The applicant can withdraw his / her application at any time during the award process, however the participation fees paid will not be refunded.
- The CII AI Awards reserves the right to request further evidence.
- Information supplied within or in relation to the application must be real, correct and complete. Please note that all personal or sensitive information will be treated as confidential.
- The decision of the expert appraisal committee and members of Grand Jury is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
- All submission material and accompanying documentation must be clearly written in the English language.
- By submitting an application to the AI Awards, the applicant is agreeing to the above-mentioned terms and conditions of entry.
Timelines
| # | CII AI National Awards Process & Key Activities | Timelines - 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Announcement/Launch of the CII National Awards for Artificial Intelligence (AI) 2025 | April, 2025 |
| 2. | CII-AI Awards Last Dete for Submission | June, 2025 |
| 3. | Formation of Jury Communication to Jury with request & seeking Confirmation | Mid April, 2025 |
| 4. | Evaluation of Applications by First Jury | July, 2025 |
| 5. | Presentation by selected participants to First Jury | July, 2025 |
| 6. | Grand Jury Meeting | August, 2025 |
| 7. | Result & Award Ceremony | August, 2025 |