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PM Modi Meets Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Discusses India’s AI and Tech Ambitions

• ByStartupStory     |    January 7, 2025

Continuing his engagements with global technology leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Monday, January 6, to discuss India’s growing ambitions in technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Nadella, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressed his enthusiasm about Microsoft’s ongoing collaboration with India. He wrote, “…Excited to build on our commitment to making India AI-first and work together on our continued expansion in the country to ensure every Indian benefits from this AI platform shift.”

Prime Minister Modi responded to Nadella’s message, stating, “It was indeed a delight to meet you, @satyanadella! Glad to know about Microsoft’s ambitious expansion and investment plans in India. It was also wonderful discussing various aspects of tech, innovation, and AI in our meeting.”

This meeting marks another step in the government’s efforts to position India as a global hub for AI and technology innovation.

Engagements with Global Tech Leaders

The meeting with Nadella follows PM Modi’s recent discussions with other prominent leaders in the tech industry. On January 4, the Prime Minister met former Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka to deliberate on AI-related advancements. In December, he held discussions with Perplexity cofounder and CEO Aravind Srinivas.

Last year, PM Modi also met Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son, underscoring India’s strategic push towards emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and data analytics.

India’s AI Mission: Accelerating Innovation

The meetings align with India’s robust initiatives to foster its AI ecosystem. In 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the INR 10,372 crore IndiaAI Mission to boost homegrown AI startups, enhance funding opportunities, and drive innovation across critical sectors.

As part of the mission, the government recently invited bids to establish up to 10,000 graphic processing units (GPUs) to build a robust compute infrastructure. Additionally, the initiative aims to develop AI applications for industries like healthcare, agriculture, and education while addressing key challenges identified by policymakers.

India’s burgeoning AI startup ecosystem comprises more than 200 generative AI (GenAI) startups, which collectively raised over $1.2 billion in funding between 2020 and 2024. By 2030, the GenAI market in India is projected to grow into a $17 billion opportunity.

Microsoft’s Role in India’s AI Revolution

Microsoft has been a key player in supporting India’s AI ecosystem. With its emphasis on becoming an “AI-first” partner for India, the tech giant aims to enable the integration of AI technologies across industries, ensuring inclusive benefits for the country’s population.

Conclusion

As India accelerates its AI adoption and technological advancements, the collaboration between the government and global tech leaders like Microsoft will play a pivotal role. With initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission and partnerships with global firms, India is well-positioned to lead the next wave of innovation in artificial intelligence.

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