At the BT AI Summit 2025, the big topic on everyone’s mind was Artificial Intelligence (AI)—and how it’s reshaping the way we live, work, and do business. Among the key voices at the event was Sandip Patel, Managing Director of IBM India & South Asia.
In his talk, Patel called AI a once-in-a-generation opportunity for India. He made it clear that it’s time for businesses to stop experimenting and start scaling—meaning AI should move from small pilot projects to becoming a part of everyday business operations. His message was simple: India can’t afford to stay on the sidelines of the AI revolution.
AI’s Global Potential and India’s Vision of Viksit Bharat
Patel began by explaining just how big this opportunity is. He referred to a McKinsey report that estimates AI could add between $17 and $26 trillion to the global economy. For India, that potential is massive—not just for business, but for the country’s growth and development.
“For a country like India, AI isn’t just about business. It’s about improving services for citizens and helping achieve the dream of Viksit Bharat,” he said in conversation with Siddharth Zarabi, Group Editor of Business Today.
The term “Viksit Bharat” (which means “Developed India”) has become a national goal. Patel’s point was that AI can be one of the key tools to make that goal a reality. From smarter governance to better healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure, AI can transform how India functions—if it’s used responsibly and at scale.
Bridging the AI Adoption Gap
India’s Businesses Are Trying—But Need to Move Faster
Patel also spoke about where Indian companies stand in their AI journey. According to a global IBM study, about 80% of Indian businesses have either started using AI or are experimenting with it. That’s a strong start—but there’s a problem.
Many of these companies are stuck at the pilot stage. They’re testing small AI projects instead of fully integrating them into their operations. Patel said that while half of Indian businesses are ready to scale, the rest are held back by concerns about cost, lack of skilled talent, and trust in AI systems.
“We’re at a stage where adoption needs to take off,” he said. “Businesses have to identify where AI can really make a difference — in productivity, customer service, and decision-making.”
His advice was practical: stop treating AI like an experiment and start using it where it matters most.
India’s Role in the Global Ecosystem
Not Just a Consumer—But a Creator
Patel challenged the old idea that India is only a “data supplier” for global tech companies. He said India is quickly becoming both a service leader and a product innovator in AI.
“We’re not just generating data for others’ AI engines,” he explained. “We’re building our own models and tools.”
He talked about IBM’s Bharat Gen, an initiative that focuses on Indic language AI models—tools built to understand and process India’s many languages. What makes Bharat Gen special is that it’s open source, meaning anyone can use and build on it.
This kind of innovation can help smaller companies, startups, and even local governments use AI that’s designed for Indian users. Patel said that’s the future (in the AI summit): AI built by India, for India.
Building the Backbone: Hardware and Talent
To truly make AI adoption a success, Patel said India must also strengthen its hardware ecosystem and digital infrastructure. He mentioned that IBM has shared its Power Server IP with the Indian government to help develop local technology capabilities.
When asked if India could ever create its own version of a global hardware giant like NVIDIA, Patel was confident:
“It’s possible,” he said. “We’re making progress in semiconductors and indigenous server technology. If we keep focusing on these areas, the potential is huge.”
But hardware alone isn’t enough. Patel emphasized that India’s biggest advantage is its people. To lead the AI era, the country must invest heavily in education and upskilling—teaching the next generation how to work with AI, not fear it.
How IBM Is Using AI to Drive Growth
Patel shared some real-world examples from IBM’s own journey. The company has already seen billions in productivity gains thanks to AI—about $3.5 billion so far, with projections to reach $4.5 billion by the end of the year.
Within IBM, AI has helped automate many internal tasks. For example, around 90% of HR processes are now handled by AI systems. This doesn’t mean jobs are disappearing; instead, employees are focusing on more creative and strategic work.
“Jobs are changing, not disappearing,” Patel explained. “When we automate repetitive tasks, new roles emerge — like prompt engineers, data curators, and AI trainers.”
His message was that AI won’t replace people—people who use AI will replace those who don’t.
The Road Ahead: Upskilling and Scaling AI in India
In his closing remarks, Sandip Patel urged India’s businesses and workforce to keep learning and adapting. He said that continuous education and upskilling are the only ways to stay relevant in the age of AI.
Patel (in the AI Summit) also reminded everyone that the time for small experiments is over. If India wants to lead globally, it must scale AI adoption across industries like manufacturing, banking, healthcare, and public services.
“India has a wealth of untapped talent,” Patel said. “If we embrace AI responsibly and at scale, we can truly make India the skill capital of the world.”
Final Thoughts (BT AI Summit 2025)
The BT AI Summit 2025 wasn’t just about technology—it was about opportunity. Sandip Patel’s message was clear and grounded: AI is not the future; it’s the present. And for India, it’s the chance to move faster, think bigger, and build smarter.
If businesses step up, invest in people, and scale their AI adoption, India could become a true global AI powerhouse. The tools, talent, and vision are already here—now it’s time to make it happen.