CII AI Forum
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the biggest technological breakthroughs of the 21st century and is touching upon almost every sector of the Indian economy. The rise in digitalization and globalization cohesively have opened new avenues for AI to transform the shape of the country in remarkable and innovative ways. Increasing awareness to utilize its potential and tremendously growing activities in the field of AI have penetrated numerous sectors such as retail, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, IT and e-commerce, agriculture, and waste management etc.
India, being the fast-growing economies is set to lead the AI revolution and is emerging as a key destination for AI innovation. There is strong need for the strategic approach and dialogue on the similar lines to connect the Indian industries especially the large numbered MSMEs, start-ups, research institutes, academia, and government as well. Towards taking the India forward in AI, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) constituted the CII AI Forum in 2019.
Theme : Enabling Indian Industry to adopt Responsible AI for accelerated growthEnabling Indian Industry to adopt Responsible AI for accelerated growth
Goals
- To support Indian industry esp. MSME to build their competence towards adoption of AI technologies.
- To create benchmark by recognizing efforts of technology providers and user Industries in the areas of AI.
- To build awareness, develop skilled human resource and implement AI-based pilot projects through partnerships for ‘Skill India Program’.
- To support government taking forward the vision of ‘Digital India’.
Key Initiatives
- Policy Advocacy and recommendations to the government
- Pilot project(s) to showcase the best used cases of AI, their impact and accelerate their adoption in identified sub-sectors.
- Networking and Learning Platforms – International Conference, Seminars, and webinars on various aspects of Artificial Intelligence and other allied emerging technologies
- Awards & Recognition- Recognizing efforts of technology providers and user Industries in the areas of AI
- Stakeholder Engagements – Government, International bodies, industry, academia, research institutes and media working in the AI discipline
AI Immersion Week
AI Immersion Week Programme in India : Enhance Business Operations for Growth
The CII – HP Centre for AI's practical AI Immersion Programme, designed to empower businesses by harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence focuses on practical AI applications tailored for MSMEs. The training program includes key modules such as an introduction to AI, generative AI and prompt engineering, AI in business, implementation roadmap, and AI benefits for MSMEs. The program covers fundamental AI concepts, ethical considerations, AI applications across industries, strategies for implementation, and real-world case studies demonstrating AI’s impact on various business functions.
To support the government’s vision and address the AI literacy gap, CII has launched the AI Immersion Week under its exclusive Centre for AI. This initiative is designed to empower MSMEs with practical AI knowledge and hands-on training, drive AI adoption across various industry sectors, and equip businesses with real-time, industry-specific insights for AI implementation. The program will be conducted across 20 cities in India and structured as a week-long training (Monday-Friday) with two daily batches of 50 participants each. This allows us to train 500 MSMEs per city through interactive, classroom-style learning.
Round Tables on AI
A. Session on AI for Enterprises : The Road Ahead
The convergence of business, technology, and the growing role of AI in driving inclusive growth and sustainability was highlighted during the Session on AI for Enterprises: The Road Ahead which was organised on 8th November 2024.
Engaging discussions explored the dynamic AI landscape, showcasing its transformative impact across various industries. Mr. Christian Klein, CEO, SAP, in his special address, highlighted the pivotal role that Generative AI is playing and mentioned significant usage of the integration of generative AI into financial management to enable faster predictions, streamline book closures, and enhance compliance.
Mr. Rajeev Memani, President Designate, CII & Chairman, India Region & Growth Markets Council, Ernst & Young LLP, highlighted India's unique digital ecosystem. He said that "India has one of the lowest costs of data usage globally and one of the highest rates of data consumption on a per capita basis. Both the quality and affordability of data are exceptional. Moreover, the digital infrastructure and access layer established by the government have enabled the delivery of outstanding digital services.
Mr. Shiv Siddhant Kaul, Co-Chair, CII National AI Forum & Managing Director, NICCO Engineering Services Ltd, underscored the significance of collaborative efforts as AI could boost economic growth in India by $957 billion by 2035, representing an increase of 15% to 20% in the total GDP. He further said that “CII has been focusing on three key areas such as AI Adoption, AI Innovation and AI Regulation. Capacity Building for industry specially the MSMEs in partnership with key academic institutions along with AI Immersion weeks are being organized in various cities to equip MSMEs with practical AI skills to enable them to adopt AI technologies across multiple sectors and enhance their productivity and competitiveness”.
Key Takeaways
- AI is being used effectively to analyze and rank over 500,000 procurement bids, in the energy sector, significantly improving operational efficiency and decision-making processes.
- Banks and financial institutions are utilizing generative AI to enhance customer interactions, streamline compliance processes, and make faster, data-driven decisions.
- Pharmaceutical companies are optimizing interactions between sales representatives and healthcare professionals, leveraging AI to analyze prescription data and market trends for better recommendations.
B. Round table on AI impact on services trade
CII Digital and the Trade policy department organised a roundtable on "AI Impact on Services Trade & Vice Versa" on November 14, which brought together eminent members from the AI industry to explore and unleash the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the various sectors.
The Roundtable organised on 14th November highlighted that AI technologies are reshaping service delivery models by enhancing efficiency, personalizing customer experiences, and enabling data-driven decision-making. The session witnessed industry members from various industry sectors delve into the nuances of how AI can streamline operations, reduce costs, and foster innovation within service industries.
Mr. Shiv Siddhant Kaul, Co-Chair, CII National AI Forum & Managing Director, NICCO Engineering Services Ltd highlighted that the primary objective of AI technology, which can be considered a revolutionary force, is transforming the professional lives, engagements, and participation in commercial activities—particularly in the services sector, which represents about 65% of India's economy. AI is evolving from support bots to fully autonomous agents, highlighting the need for us in India to understand how AI functions.