India is set to take a leading role in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) to drive social and economic development, as announced by the government on Thursday. With AI adoption rapidly increasing worldwide, Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), underscored the swift advancements in AI and GenAI technologies and their potential transformative effects.

India will host the ‘World Telecom Standardization Assembly (WTSA-2024)’ in conjunction with the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, from October 15-18 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. WTSA-2024 is expected to shape the future standardization of emerging technologies like AI. IMC 2024 will feature over 50 Indian and international speakers discussing various aspects of AI and GenAI through 11 sessions.

A dedicated session called ‘AI for Good’ will bring together global experts and delegates to explore AI's potential to benefit society. IMC 2024 CEO Ramakrishna P emphasized India’s pivotal role in the tech landscape and the event’s aim to foster diverse viewpoints, leading to the creation of a report on AI’s development.

The event will also cover topics such as 6G, 5G, quantum technology, circular economy, cloud and edge computing, IoT, semiconductors, cybersecurity, green technology, and electronics manufacturing. Additionally, IMC 2024’s ‘Aspire’ programme will spotlight over 140 startups focused on AI applications in various sectors.

Beyond industry participation, more than 15 government ministries will also have booths, showcasing how AI is being incorporated into their operations. The event is positioned to highlight India’s leadership in AI and its contribution to setting global technology standards.